Executive Director Lee Bo Young Joins HYBE Amid Controversy Over NewJeans
In a significant move within the K-pop industry, executive director Lee Bo Young, known for her branding expertise and recognized as the trusted advisor to Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yoo Kyung, will soon be joining the ranks of HYBE. This news comes on the heels of speculation regarding her potential role as a successor to former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, who recently exited the company following the NJZ (NewJeans) controversy.
Industry insiders revealed on May 21 that Lee has already submitted her resignation from Shinsegae and is set to commence her new journey with HYBE at the end of this month. “Executive director Lee is indeed going to HYBE,” an entertainment insider shared. “There are still only a few people within HYBE who know about this, and it is something that has been shared with a few executives.”
Lee is well-regarded in the design and branding sectors, having previously worked with prestigious brands like Sephora and Louis Vuitton. As she steps into her new position, she’s expected to begin at the holding company level, similar to Min Hee Jin, though the specifics of her role remain undisclosed.
In response to the announcement, HYBE remained tight-lipped, telling Weekly Chosun, “We cannot confirm whether a specific member has joined the company.” However, many netizens have already voiced their opinions, expressing concerns that Lee may not possess enough experience in the entertainment field to fill Min’s shoes adequately.
Fans and online commentators took to various platforms to share their thoughts:
- “Can’t they bring in some entertainment industry experts? Didn’t they learn from how Park Ji Won ran things and how angry the fandom got because of that?”
- “Hmm.. this person is incomparably smart to be Min Hee Jin’s successor. It seems like they just added more female executives, but if they call her Min’s successor, Lee probably won’t like it.”
- “Isn’t it different being a branding expert and a producer who writes songs and styles? I don’t care what happens to HYBE… do whatever you want.”
- “They hired a branding expert, not a producer. I guess it just shows what kind of company HYBE is.”
As the K-pop landscape continues to evolve, Lee Bo Young’s entry into HYBE marks a new chapter amidst ongoing discussions about the changing dynamics in company leadership and its implications for the future of K-pop strategy. Keep an eye on how this development will shape HYBE’s trajectory in the coming months.
