HYBE & MBC Conflict Explained

As per Soompi’s report, the conflict between HYBE and MBC began in 2019 when BTS performed at a major year-end festival in the United States. This led to their subsequent absence from MBC’s annual year-end event MBC Music Festival taking place on the same day. What looked like a schedule clash eventually resulted in a silent conflict between the companies.

Consequently, many HYBE artists, including TXT, ENHYPEN, LESSERAFIM, and others were unable to appear on MBC shows and events, including Show! Music Core and Idol Athletic Championships the following year. Furthermore, HYBE Labels also orchestrated a joint concert for its artists, airing it the same day as the 2020 MBC Gayo Daejejeon, resulting in more bitterness.

In October 2023, HYBE Chaiperson Bang Si-Hyuk and MBC president Ahn Hyeong-Joon sat together to resolve their differences and forge a new path of HYBE artists participating in the entertainment network’s activities.

HYBE’s Bang Si-Hyuk & MBC’s Ahn Hyeong-Joon release statements

According to Soompi, HBYE’s Bang Si-Hyuk made a visit to MBC for an open and honest discussion about resolving their silent conflict going on for the past four years. MBC president Ahn Hyeong-Joon expressed regret for the network’s decisions that caused harm to multiple HYBE artists. He even released a statement apologizing for the same.

The MBC president said, “We firmly agree that there’s a need to establish a relationship between artists and broadcasting companies that befits the respectable status of K-pop. Additionally, we also agreed to improve the long-standing flawed production culture between broadcasting and entertainment companies and to create an environment for content production with mutual respect and consideration.”

Graciously accpeting the apology, Bang Si-Hyuk said, “I’d like to express my deep gratitude to MBC for their sincere apology and their commitment to improving the rights of K-pop artists. I hope this meeting will serve as a starting point for a new era where a healthy content production environment is established across the entire domestic entertainment industry, transcending the boundaries of our two companies.”

Ahn Hyeong-Joon resonated with the HYBE Chairperson’s message, assuring a lead in fostering positive environment for the artists as well as “fair partnership and mutual growth.”