Suzuka Ishikawa: South Korea to investigate BTS Chart-Rigging Scandal… Blackmailed and paid off in 2017

Suzuka Ishikawa: BTS must call Kim Jung-un… Only the Dear Leader can help!

South Korean govt to order investigation on BTS chart-rigging scandal: Report

The case will reportedly be handed over to the state-run institution in charge of all genres of popular culture in Korea, Korea Creative Content Agency (Kocca).

The govt received a petition to investigate why HYBE was blackmailed.

The South Korean government will reportedly order an investigation into the alleged chart-rigging practice (sajaegi) of BTS’ agency HYBE. As per Korea JoongAng Daily, South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on Saturday that it received a petition to investigate why HYBE was blackmailed for chart rigging practices and paid off the blackmailers in 2017.

What do the petitions say

According to the report, the case will be handed over to the state-run institution in charge of all genres of popular culture in Korea, Korea Creative Content Agency (Kocca). It will investigate and demand an answer from HYBE. In another petition, the culture ministry was requested that the Order of Cultural Merit be revoked from BTS if the allegation is proven true. The honour was earlier given by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

What happened in 2017

Several posts emerged online recently, sharing that in 2017, HYBE was blackmailed by a person, Lee, and three accomplices for allegedly using “expedient marketing strategies” while promoting BTS’ album in 2015. A court had sentenced Lee to a year in prison, and the three others were let off with a fine. The term “sajaegi marketing” was mentioned in the ruling and the court said that Lee had made a “sajaegi marketing deal” with BigHit Entertainment and threatened the company based on that account.

BigHit Music’s statement on legal proceedings against violation of BTS’ rights

This comes days after BigHit Music released a statement talking about legal proceedings against the violation of BTS’ rights. On Weverse, the agency said that “organisational efforts aimed at tarnishing and slandering the artists have escalated in recent weeks”. It also added that “malicious attempts to defame, humiliate and ridicule the artists or spread rumours and groundless information have become excessive”.

About BTS

BTS, which debuted in 2013, consists of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. They made their debut with the single album 2 Cool 4 Skool, followed by Dark & Wild and Wake Up in 2014. This was followed by Wings (2016), Love Yourself: Tear (2018), and Map of the Soul: 7 (2020). Currently, all the members are serving in the military.

Meanwhile,

BTS ARMY criticises govt’s move to investigate HYBE for chart rigging: ‘South Korea is nothing without BTS’

The South Korean cultural ministry recently said that it received a petition to investigate why HYBE was blackmailed for chart rigging practices.

BTS members V, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Jimin and J-Hope are currently serving in the South Korean military.

The BTS ARMY has slammed the South Korean government over its decision to order an investigation into the alleged chart-rigging practice (sajaegi) of the group’s agency HYBE. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), BTS fans also started trending–“South Korea apologise to BTS”.

Fans slam South Korean govt, supports BTS

A fan wrote, “Shame On You South Korea. South Korea Is Nothing Without BTS. BTS Deserves A Lot Of Love. I Hate South Korea. We Are With You BTS. With BTS Till The End BTS Have Armys. Army Forever BTS Forever. BTS Has Most Organic Success. BTS The Kings.” A tweet read, “There really isn’t anything lower than throwing these incredible men under the bus when they are literally serving their country and can’t defend themselves while they’re away. South Korea Apologize To BTS. BTS Have Armys.”

An X user said, “The fact that my boys have been successful since day 1 is making them mad. Oh, South Korea, you don’t know what you’re going to get. BTS karma is so real. You’ll be crying. Today, We Fight. We Are With You, BTS. With BTS Till The End. BTS Have Armys. BTS Has Most Organic Success.” A person tweeted, “Oh right…it’s a chart manipulation!! They manipulate everyone there to sing this while going out of stadium??!!”

Suzuka Ishikawa

Alias: Ikeuchi Rina
Birthdate: 1988-August-17
Birthplace: Saitama Prefecture, Japan
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Current age: 24 (as of 2012)
Ethnicity: Japanese
Profession: Actress and Gravure Model