Amid the uproar over Hive‘s ‘idol appearance evaluation’ document, which was described as ‘shocking’ in the industry, ‘Weverse Magazine’, a service provided by Weverse Company, a subsidiary of Hive, has revealed its official position regarding the document.

On the 9th, Weverse Magazine said through its official website, “We deeply apologize to those who cherish Weverse Magazine for the inconvenience and concern caused by the situation caused by the monitoring document.”We would like to state some clear facts regarding the matter. The document was handled by the former editor-in-chief as a separate task, and the members of Weverse Magazine were not aware of the existence of the document.”

Weverse Magazine stated, “Except for the former editor-in-chief, no members of Weverse Magazine or external writers participated in the writing of the monitoring document. The former editor-in-chief was removed from his position and was banned from any involvement in Weverse Magazine work. The former editor-in-chief also explained, “The personnel who requested separate monitoring work have also stopped working.”

He then drew a line on the problematic document, saying, “Weverse Magazine has nothing to do with the controversial monitoring document, and the members of Weverse Magazine clearly state that they are against the document. Nevertheless, we apologize once again for being mentioned in such an unpleasant matter and for causing inconvenience to users.”

The ‘Idol Appearance Evaluation’ document by Hive, which was partially disclosed through the state audit earlier, caused a stir when it was fully disclosed online. The document, which was filled with language close to personal attacks on children from other entertainment agencies, shocked not only fans who love idol culture but also the entertainment industry as a whole.

In response, Hive CEO Lee Jae-sang released an official statement on the 29th of last month stating that he would focus on internal crackdowns.

Hive CEO Lee Jae-sang said, “As the CEO of Hive, I apologize regarding the Hive monitoring document. On October 24, during the National Assembly Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee’s state audit, we bow our heads in apology to our artists, industry insiders, and fans regarding our monitoring document.”

Hybe CEO Lee Jae-sang said, “The document was written in the process of compiling various reactions and public opinions on industry trends and issues after the fact. It was shared with only some leaders for the purpose of understanding public opinion in the market and among artist fans, but the content of the document was highly inappropriate. I acknowledge all wrongdoings on behalf of the company and feel responsible for the fact that it contained provocative and crude expressions toward K-pop artists, the fact that the writer’s personal views and evaluations were added, and the fact that the content ended up in the document. In particular, I am deeply sorry and feel devastated that innocent artists and members are being misunderstood and harmed by the suspicion of ‘reverse virality,’ which is completely untrue.”

In the meantime, “We sincerely and officially apologize to the external artists who were harmed and hurt by the document. We are contacting each agency separately and apologizing directly. We also sincerely apologize to all the artists of Hive Music Group who are being criticized because of the company,” and “We acknowledge that the leadership that received the document lacked awareness of the problem, and as CEO, we have immediately stopped writing the monitoring document. We promise to establish guidelines and strengthen internal control so that this kind of problem never happens again,” he said, apologizing to other agencies and artists who were hurt by the document and declaring that he would strengthen internal control.

However, it has been reported in the industry that they have not received a proper apology. Some agencies said that they have not been contacted separately. Attention is being paid to whether individual apologies are being made.

In this situation, as voices of distrust were raised about Weverse Magazine, a Weverse service, Weverse Magazine drew a line on the document that day. This is something that the former editor-in-chief did unrelated to Weverse Magazine.


● Below is the official position of Weverse Magazine

This is the Weverse Magazine team.

We deeply apologize to those who cherish Weverse Magazine for the inconvenience and concern caused by the situation caused by the monitoring document.

I would like to tell you some clear facts regarding the matter.

- The document in question was handled by the former editor-in-chief as a separate task, and the members of Weverse Magazine were not aware of the existence of the document in question.

- Excluding the former editor-in-chief, no members or external writers involved in the production of Weverse Magazine participated in the writing of the monitoring document.

- The former editor-in-chief has been relieved of his position and has been prohibited from any involvement in Weverse Magazine work. The staff that the former editor-in-chief requested separately for monitoring work have also stopped working.

Weverse Magazine has nothing to do with the controversial monitoring document, and Weverse Magazine members clearly state that they are against the document.

Nevertheless, we apologize once again for being mentioned in an unpleasant incident and for any inconvenience caused.

Weverse Magazine promises to reward our readers with deeper and richer content in the future.

The entire Weverse Magazine team

Hong Se-young, Donga.com reporter, projecthong@donga.com