ENTERTAINMENT
Weverse Magazine Issues Apology Over Controversial Internal Report on Idol Groups
Weverse Magazine stated, "We deeply apologize for the inconvenience and concerns caused by the monitoring document to those who cherish Weverse Magazine. We would like to clarify some facts regarding this matter."
The magazine explained that the 'industry trend internal report' was conducted by a former editor-in-chief as a separate task, and the staff of Weverse Magazine were unaware of the document's existence.
They further clarified, "Apart from the former editor-in-chief, none of the Weverse Magazine staff or external contributors were involved in the creation of the monitoring document." They added, "The former editor-in-chief has been relieved of their position and will no longer be involved in any Weverse Magazine activities. The personnel separately requested by the former editor-in-chief for monitoring tasks have also been suspended."
Weverse Magazine emphasized that they are not related to the controversial monitoring document and that their staff clearly oppose it. They concluded by saying, "We apologize once again for being mentioned in this unfortunate incident and for any inconvenience caused. We promise to repay our readers with deeper and richer content in the future."
Last month, during a National Assembly audit by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, Kim Tae-ho, COO of HYBE and CEO of Belift Lab, appeared as a witness. On that day, Min Hyung-bae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, disclosed parts of the 'industry trend review materials' shared among HYBE's internal executives. The report included evaluations of idol group members from other entertainment agencies, such as 'debuting them at an age when they are at their ugliest,' 'too much plastic surgery,' and 'other members are surprisingly unattractive,' which sparked controversy.
◆ Below is the full statement from Weverse Magazine
This is the Weverse Magazine team.
We deeply apologize for the inconvenience and concerns caused by the monitoring document to those who cherish Weverse Magazine.
We would like to clarify some facts regarding this matter.
· The document was conducted by a former editor-in-chief as a separate task, and the staff of Weverse Magazine were unaware of its existence.
· Apart from the former editor-in-chief, none of the Weverse Magazine staff or external contributors were involved in the creation of the monitoring document.
· The former editor-in-chief has been relieved of their position and will no longer be involved in any Weverse Magazine activities. The personnel separately requested by the former editor-in-chief for monitoring tasks have also been suspended.
Weverse Magazine is not related to the controversial monitoring document, and our staff clearly oppose it.
We apologize once again for being mentioned in this unfortunate incident and for any inconvenience caused.
We promise to repay our readers with deeper and richer content in the future.
The Weverse Magazine team
Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr
