ARMYs, brace yourselves! The K-pop world is buzzing with the latest controversy surrounding BTS and allegations of chart manipulation.

On April 29, the internet was set ablaze when court records surfaced, revealing accusations against BTS’s label, HYBE (previously known as Big Hit Music).

The label is under fire for allegedly using shady marketing tactics, a fact that came to light during legal proceedings.

Rewind to 2017, a certain Mr. A was slapped with a one-year prison sentence for extortion. He had threatened to spill the beans to the media about BTS’s supposed involvement in these illegal marketing activities.

HYBE has been on the defensive, denying any and all accusations of chart manipulation. However, the court has thrown a curveball, presenting evidence that contradicts HYBE’s claims.

Court documents suggest that the information Mr. A threatened to leak was tied to illicit marketing strategies masterminded by HYBE.

The plot thickens as it’s revealed that Mr. A posed as a third-party hacker who allegedly infiltrated emails to gather damning marketing data, which he then used as leverage.

Korean netizens are all over this, flooding online communities with their reactions. Comments range from “This is so embarrassing. I wish HYBE gets investigated,” and “This is so crazy,” to “I really hope BTS members didn’t know about this Sajaegi,” and “This feels like all of Korea was scammed by HYBE.”

The consensus? The truth will out.

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The energetic and fun-loving special unit of SEVENTEEN, BSS (Seungkwan, DK, and Hoshi), is ready to return with a bang! Their second single album, "TELEPARTY," will drop on January 8, and fans can’t wait.

At midnight KST on December 27, Pledis Entertainment shared the exciting teaser for BSS’s comeback through HYBE Labels' YouTube channel and SEVENTEEN’s social media. The trailer, titled "How is your youth?", instantly grabbed attention with its touching and inspiring vibe.

The trailer dives deep into the meaning of youth, opening with the question: "What is youth? Is it simply about being young?" It shows everyday moments from people of all ages and ends with the uplifting answer: "Youth is about enjoying the life you’re living at this very moment."

BSS takes on the role of "Youth Protectors," spreading joy and positivity across generations. In the teaser, they give tired students a break, take on extra work for stressed office workers, and even add some romance for two elderly individuals stuck in routine. Their efforts bring smiles, laughter, and a reminder to embrace life’s little moments.

Fans were also thrilled to see a familiar face in the trailer—actor Moon Sang Hoon, famous for his "Moon Saem" character from the YouTube channel Bba-Doners. His comedic interactions with BSS added even more charm and excitement.

The title of the album, "TELEPARTY," combines "Telepathy" and "Party," representing a celebration that connects everyone in the world. Through this concept, BSS sends the heartwarming message: "If you’re happy in this moment, you are living your youth."

Pledis Entertainment revealed that this album has been in the works since early this year and promises top-quality music. Fans can expect not just great songs but also a lot of energy and joy from this special unit.

Meanwhile, SEVENTEEN has been keeping busy with their SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE] WORLD TOUR IN JAPAN, performing ten incredible shows in four domes. They’ll continue their stadium concerts in major cities across Asia in January and February, keeping their momentum strong.

Mark your calendars for January 8 and get ready to party with BSS!

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