Overseas BTS ARMY Releases Statement Opposing the Return of Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin

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BTS’s global fanbase, known as ARMY, has issued a statement opposing the return of former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, drawing significant attention.

This is seen as an example of overseas K-pop fans actively expressing their opinions, showcasing the growing influence of fanbases in the industry.

On the 16th, BTS fans residing overseas shared a statement on social media using the hashtag ‘#MinHeeJinOut,’ which quickly gained traction, trending in regions such as North America, parts of Europe, and Southeast Asia.

In their statement, the fans expressed concerns about the ongoing management issues at HYBE and ADOR, stating,

“We are fully aware of Min Hee-jin’s actions during BTS’s military service and her alleged manipulation of the Korean media as a strategy to harm BTS.”

They further claimed, "Reports supporting Min Hee-jin and various media stories about BTS do not reflect the truth and are influenced by her intentions."

The statement also highlighted, “We recognize that BTS’s freedom to speak publicly is limited, and we strongly demand that Min Hee-jin stop using this as a shield.”

The international ARMY also expressed distrust towards the Korean media, urging fellow ARMYs not to rely on them.

They stated, "We caution other ARMYs not to trust the Korean media," adding, "The media has been planning to spread various stories about BTS during their military service, and we are now witnessing this unfold."

This statement follows another one released on the 9th by a coalition of 127 ARMY fanbases from 58 countries.

At that time, ARMY expressed their opposition to the departure of member Suga, who was involved in a drunk driving controversy, stating, “No one has the right to impose such decisions on BTS,” and reaffirming their support for all seven members of the group.

Industry experts have shared various opinions on this situation. One insider noted, "The influence of a global fanbase exerting such power is unprecedented in K-pop history.

This reflects how K-pop has truly become a global phenomenon."

Another expert pointed out,

"This proactive expression by fans can be seen as a demand for more transparency and accountability in the K-pop industry.

Entertainment companies will need to take fans’ voices into greater consideration moving forward."

This event suggests a new phase in the relationship between K-pop artists, their fanbases, and entertainment companies.

With the growing influence of global fanbases, their opinions are now seen as having real potential to affect corporate decisions.

All eyes are on how HYBE and ADOR will respond to the fans’ demands and what broader impact this incident will have on the K-pop industry.

It is also expected that this situation will further spark discussions on the transparency of K-pop companies and the protection of artists’ rights