Allegations of music chart manipulation looms over BTS

The legal conflict at HYBE continues to intensify as the dispute over subsidiary authority and ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin escalates. The Korean Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) has announced an investigation into allegations of chart manipulation involving BTS, known as 'sajaegi'. On May 21, reports emerged that KOCCA, under the Ministry of Culture, had confirmed receipt of an official complaint regarding the iconic K-pop band BTS and the accusations of chart manipulation.

BTS, the K-pop boy band comprising seven members Jimin, Jin, Suga, Jungkook, RM, Taehyung, and J-Hope, remains embroiled in allegations of chart-rigging practices dating back to 2017. HYBE has consistently denied these claims whenever they have surfaced. Initial complaints were lodged with the Ministry of Culture but were later transferred to the Korean Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), according to K-media reports.

The investigating team will soon be contacting HYBE to examine the accusations. However, the news didn't sit well with many K-netizens, who consider these claims to be entirely false and view them as an attempt to undermine the group's success. Despite mixed reactions, recent updates suggest that the investigation has begun. A new inquiry into allegations of chart manipulation by BTS' label in 2017 is reportedly underway.

Additionally, the report states that KOCCA is considering asking for help from courts or investigators if necessary. According to Sports Kyunghyang, KOCCA may also request information from music streaming services. After a review by a committee is completed, the outcome will be sent to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

An industry insider familiar with the case earlier said, "The term 'music chart manipulation' itself is misleading. Whether it's physical albums or digital music, this is clearly 'music chart manipulation.' Whether KOCCA and its subordinate agencies will conduct a proper investigation into music chart manipulation remains questionable, given their close ties with music streaming platforms."

Sajaegi, which refers to the illegal practice of music chart manipulation, is a well-known term in K-pop and has affected the careers of many K-pop groups. Despite BTS being cleared of wrongdoing after addressing the accusations when they first arose in 2017, the claims continue to resurface, prompting calls for an in-depth investigation. The accusations initially surfaced in 2017 following a blackmailing incident. That year, individuals threatened BigHit, claiming they would expose alleged malpractice at the agency, supposedly related to albums released by the group in 2015.

"It should be noted that BigHit has consistently refuted the claims as defamatory. Previously, they stated, 'Allegations of chart manipulation, marketing manipulation, concept plagiarism, connections to a cult, and other such claims that tarnish BTS's reputation are false. We have repeatedly clarified that there is no such activity.'"