After CEO Min Hee-jin’s Press Conference, Suspicions of a Connection Between HYBE and Danworld (Dahn Yoga) Were Amplified
Although HYBE has generally prohibited unauthorized use of the BTS name, it has not taken legal action against Danworld (Dahn Yoga). Additionally, it is suspicious that all BTS members, except one, graduated from a university operated by this alleged cult organization.
Following the emergence of these suspicions, there has been an ongoing abnormal flow of public opinion against Min Hee-jin and NewJeans, raising the possibility of cult forces’ involvement.
It is difficult to see this as a natural public reaction. Despite having no clear reason to do so, many are siding with HYBE, posting malicious and bizarre comments in an organized and repetitive manner.
Normally, malicious comments tend to come from young, discontented individuals. However, the comments in this case are primarily eerie, obedience-demanding remarks that seem to come from older individuals criticizing supposed lack of manners.
Additionally, there are many comments implying that NewJeans has already made irreversibly poor decisions. Rather than providing rational criticism, these comments seem focused solely on tarnishing NewJeans’ image. (The comments on BBC’s YouTube video are a prime example.)
I believe that with the surfacing of the cult controversy through the Min Hee-jin incident, all cult groups may have come to perceive Min Hee-jin and NewJeans as a common enemy.
Rumors Linking the Korean K-pop and Idol Industry to Cults Have Persisted for a Long Time
In 2018, JYP’s Park Jin-young held a Bible study session where a key figure from the Guwonpa (Salvation Sect) was present. The event’s content was either similar to or identical with Guwonpa doctrines, and the gathering was held at a facility suspected to be owned by Guwonpa. Moreover, Park Jin-young married the niece of Yoo Byung-eun, the founder of Guwonpa.
As for SM’s Lee Soo-man, there were allegations that he instructed the inclusion of “tree planting” lyrics in aespa’s songs. Cults often use themes such as tree planting and saving the earth as key messaging.
Mutual Benefits if the Idol Industry and Cult Forces Cooperate
If cult organizations collaborate with the idol industry, the benefits for both sides are clear. Cults would have a strong desire to use idols to improve their public image and attract new followers. (The university BTS members graduated from likely benefited significantly from their fame. It could be said that Min Hee-jin’s actions caused major disruption to these plans.)
Moreover, many Korean cults are historically linked to pro-Japanese (pro-colonial) ideology. Idols could be used as tools to subtly inject these ideologies into public consciousness.
A video analyzing LE SSERAFIM’s music video in connection to pro-Japanese themes offers a very persuasive argument.
In the idol industry, public opinion is extremely influential. If organized manipulation of public opinion is possible, it would provide a powerful advantage.
If cult followers are mobilized for public opinion manipulation, they would require no salaries, leaving no financial trails, making it nearly impossible to trace. What could be more appealing?
Although the presence of cult forces cannot be definitively confirmed, it is clear that Korean online communities are extremely vulnerable to opinion manipulation.
Korean community platforms can easily be exploited by organized forces, as posts can be deleted or hidden with mass reports and dislikes.
In the past, suspicions about manipulation of comments on Naver news articles were dismissed as mere conspiracy theories, but over time, direct and indirect evidence has surfaced.
I believe that one day, the cause behind the abnormal flood of comments on current platforms will also be revealed.
