HYBE Labels is once again under scrutiny, as fresh allegations of mistreatment toward its artists during their trainee periods have sparked widespread outrage online. A viral post on the celebrity forum Pannchoa has revived public concern over how some of Korea’s largest entertainment agencies handle the pressures and expectations placed on aspiring idols—particularly young female trainees.
According to the anonymous post, Source Music, a HYBE subsidiary, is accused of forcing NewJeans leader Minji to sacrifice her education to focus entirely on her idol training. Before her debut, Minji reportedly faced an exhausting schedule and was made to live in harsh conditions, including a dorm allegedly infested with cockroaches. Her mother is said to have shared that Minji endured several years of uncertainty with no clear debut timeline, all while trying to balance her academic responsibilities and an emotionally taxing training environment. Despite these challenges, Minji persevered and eventually debuted as the face of one of the most successful girl groups in recent years.
The post also reignited questions surrounding the sudden departure of Youngseo from the final lineup of ILLIT, another group under the HYBE umbrella. While the official reason given at the time was linked to personal choice or educational priorities, a classmate of Youngseo has now come forward claiming that she was in fact pressured by the company to leave the group. According to this insider, the decision “really wasn’t hers,” and it was HYBE that pushed her out, allegedly citing her academic commitments as incompatible with idol life.
These revelations have reawakened past concerns about the psychological toll of idol training under HYBE. Previously, NewJeans members had hinted at their unease with the company’s practices—alleging that personal information shared during counseling sessions with company-appointed psychologists was later used against them. Additionally, the fear that footage from their trainee days might be leaked added another layer of anxiety to an already demanding environment.
The online discourse surrounding these incidents has brought renewed attention to the grueling and often opaque realities of K-pop idol preparation. Many fans expressed disappointment and frustration that such a prominent and well-resourced company would allegedly resort to extreme measures to control the lives and futures of its artists. As the backlash grows, all eyes are on HYBE to address the concerns and clarify its practices, especially as it continues to dominate the global music scene with groups like BTS, NewJeans, and ILLIT.