“Don’t Think of Idols as Pushovers:” SEVENTEEN’s Seungkwan Breaks Silence on HYBE’s Recent Controversy

HYBE is in hot waters after the leak of an internal audit report where the label is seen mocking other K-pop idols and employing tactics to change public perception.

They are receiving criticism from fandoms of different groups for making fun of idols’ heights, appearances, and talents.

A recent viral snippet from the leaked document reveals HYBE’s plan to use Seungkwan to boost Joshua’s image and popularity following his dating news.

Since the internal report has taken the internet by storm, SEVENTEEN’s vocalist Seungkwan addressed the controversy in a Weverse post.

He begins by saying, “I do not want to see people/us hurting each other any longer. While seeing how the many events up till now have been playing out, I have just been easing my heart while thinking everything will pass like I always have and just continued working hard with the members.

But seeing how these situations are hurting my people, my fans, my members, my peers who are active, I feel like I can no longer stay silent and sit back hoping that things die down.”

He added, “As I have chosen the job of an idol/celebrity, who receives a lot of love, there are things that I need to endure. However, I do not believe it should be a career where one has to endure hurt and abuse until you die.

I simply was doing my best, and trying to repay the fans who love me, wanting to give whatever good energy in every way I could. Because of this, I indeed felt this pressure and burden in my body, heart, and even my blood that I can’t describe in words.”

Seungkwan further expressed, “Just like how some days are bright and others gloomy- today feels especially gloomy.

Wasn’t there a time when I could be positive and overcome this?

Wasn’t there a time when I could try to smile no matter what?

But today, that isn’t easy. It’s a shame that there are people who could be hurt by this right at this moment.

I’m also sad that I can’t embrace everyone.

I wonder if my hasty words could resonate with someone, or even comfort someone.”

He shared, “My members, along with the few peers and friends I know who work so hard, purely and sincerely love this job in this huge industry called K-pop.

We live each day working hard exchanging love for the sake of ourselves, our members, our fans, and our family. 

I want to say this confidently: we are not people whose work has been easy and gentle to the point of receiving judgment and rumors so easily from you. 

I hope you do not think of idols as pushovers. You do not have the right to so easily interfere in our story, not just us, but other artists included. We are not items for your consumption.”

He thanked fellow idols for their encouraging words, saying, “Just from the one week of music shows, my entire body and stamina has been drained. Among that, there are events, ads, concerts, and other activities to be done, and despite that, I have colleagues who smile and greet me more warmly than I do. When that happens, I smile along with them, that’s the least I could do. That one moment of smiling and greeting us energetically is so precious and I’m so grateful for it. Besides a greeting that could be considered a formality, I get courage from even one line of a message that my colleagues write in their albums. So, I just wish everyone would be healthy and free from hurt.”

Seungkwan went on to say, “Though this is something I need to make an effort about first, I hope we can all become warmer [towards each other]. If we love, support, and treat each other warmly, I wonder if things will get better.

My wish is that we stop hurting each other in ways that we can not be responsible for. 

I no longer want to see myself, members, and hard-working colleagues, the staff who give their all for us, and our fans getting hurt. To our fans who still love us warmly, I want to tell you that I am sorry and I love you.”

On the work front, SEVENTEEN members are in the US for “RIGHT HERE” World Tour after the release of the mini-album “SPILL THE FEELS.”