BTS's company is suspected of bribing 100 reporters on military enlistment, the Anti-Corruption Commission gets involved

This news is currently very interested by BTS fans in particular and many K-Pop fans in general.

On April 15, 4th News reported that the Korean National Commission for Anti-Corruption and Human Rights decided to conduct an inspection of HYBE Labels. The reason comes from the free tour of Las Vegas, USA, which sponsors about 100 reporters. If illegal points are found, the Anti-Corruption Commission will ask the prosecutor and the police to step in.

Accordingly, HYBE Labels invited about 100 reporters from all over Korean media to watch BTS' concert in Las Vegas, USA from April 8-9. The company covers all travel expenses, including airfare, accommodation and COVID-19 testing. According to many observers, this trip is believed to be a form of HYBE bribing reporters, in order to create good public opinion about BTS's military service.

HYBE side said that they did not violate the Kim Young Ran Anti-Bribery Act. The company's representative said that after checking with the law, they determined that this trip did not violate the law. The company does not invite reporters by name, but only sends press releases. Those who want to participate must submit an application and HYBE has closed the final list.

In fact, this trip lasts 5 days and 4 nights, departing at 20:40 on April 7 at Incheon Airport. After arriving in Las Vegas, reporters were arranged to rest at the MGM Grand Hotel. On April 8, they went to a BTS photo exhibition, a pop-up shop, an audition for US trainees, and a Bellagio water fountain program that played BTS songs. During lunch, reporters were served a set of Korean dishes that BTS love at Cafe in the City.

On April 9, reporters attended a meeting with HYBE staff about The City project and BTS Permission to Dance on Stage. At 19:30 pm, 100 reporters came to watch BTS's 2nd concert night at Allegiant Stadium. On April 10, they took a morning break, took a flight at 11 a.m. and returned to Korea at 5 a.m. on April 12.

According to the Kim Young Ran Anti-Bribery Act, if a reporter accepts money or sponsorship items that cost more than 1 million won (20 million dong)/time or 3 million won (60 million dong)/year, that reporter will sentenced to 3 years in prison or 30 million won (600 million VND). The bribe giver must also receive the same sentence. Currently, it is estimated that the cost of HYBE for each reporter is at least 2 million won (40 million VND)/person.

However, the HYBE side insisted that their trip was in the exception of the Act. The company believes that these expenses are all "permission expenses", which are within the normal range of the work, so they do not violate the Anti-Bribery Act. However, many senior lawyers disagree with the company's explanation. According to them, round-trip airfares and hotel rentals for reporters could be interpreted as being outside the normal range. If this fee is paid by the reporter's agency, it is not illegal. HYBE's "normal range" in this case is just the cost of the reporter's shuttle between the hotel and the venue.

Many critics argue that the unusually large-scale media trip HYBE is supposed to create a positive public opinion when considering BTS's military service. Currently, the members have reached the age of enlistment but the Government has not yet made an official decision whether they will enlist as normal or be exempted or perform special military service.

During a press conference at the MGM Grand Las Vegas hotel, a representative of HYBE publicly stated their views on the issue of military service of "domestic chickens": "We hope that Congress will come to a conclusion to amend the Dao. the military service law in the shortest time. Consecutive changes make the artist's enlistment time unpredictable. Therefore, it is difficult to plan the members. Currently the members are entrusting work related to military service for the company. I hope the National Assembly will come to a conclusion that benefits both society and artists."

Although the BTS members affirmed that they were always ready to perform the service, after this statement from the company, the public had a bad reaction about the group's military service issue.

BTS nên làm gì để duy trì sức hút nếu nhập ngũ? Hoàng Phúc07:50:30 09/05/2022Vốn là "gà đẻ trứng vàng" của HYBE, việc BTS tạm dừng hoạt động để thực hiện nghĩa vụ quân sự có thể coi là tổn thất lớn của công ty. Để giải quyết vấn đề này, giới chuyên gia đã đưa ra nhiều giải pháp