Following the “leak” of a document criticising Blackpink and group member Lisa, her Thai fans are demanding an apology to their fave star

Lisa performing at the Victoria’s Secret show. Screen shot: Victoria’s Secret/Youtube

You’d think the Korean titans of the K-pop industry would know better than to say unflattering things about their country’s global stars. Apparently not. Hybe Corporation, the almost 20-year-old South Korean multinational entertainment company that manages BTS, apparently made some stinging criticism about the business and those who have become very successful through their star-making machinery. This came to light when a 2,000-page document, described as an “internal report”, was brought up during the South Korean national assembly audit. Titled “Weekly Music Industry Report”, the information within purportedly exposed the “dark side of the leading entertainment conglomerate”, according to local media. Apparently, no one, no group was spared. So harshly and disparagingly worded the report is that Netizens quickly called it a “smear document”.

Although many Korean performers were targeted, including Hybe’s own BTS and NewJeans, and others not affiliated to the company, it is the seeming censure of rival YG Entertainment’s Blackpink and, in particular, group member Lisa, now a Victoria’s Secret angel, that has aroused the anger of her supporters, especially in Thailand, where her fan base is believed to be one of the largest in the world. The report apparently criticised the achievements of Blackpink and insinuated that Lisa’s success at the MTV Video Music Awards may have been bloated by “suspicious voting activity”, thought to be conducted by her “internal fandom”—believed to be Lisa’s Thai fans, also known as “Lilies”.

The report apparently criticised the achievements of Blackpink and insinuated that Lisa’s success at the MTV Video Music Awards may have been bloated by “suspicious voting activity”

The fallout is not unimaginable. In her country of birth, Lisa (aka Lalisa [birth name, Panpriya] Manoban) is considered a national hero and daughter of the land. Her supporters have demanded that Hybe apologise to their beloved star. One fan, quoted by the press said: “ You don’t touch Lisa here.” As a result, the hashtag #HybeApologizeToLisa rapidly trended. It didn’t help that many Thai fans believed that their idol is not treated rightly in Seoul, amid unflattering stories in South Korean media, with perceived-to-be-xenophobic titles such as “Why Should a Foreigner Like Lisa Lead the K-pop Industry?” Due here for a ticketed fan meet later this month, Lisa has not commented on her supporters’ angry demand.

Faced with escalating acrimony towards Hybe, the company’s CEO Lee Jae-Sang issued an apology three days ago. “This document,” he wrote, “was created as part of a process to retrospectively gather various reactions and public opinions on industry trends and issues.” It was meant to be shared with “a limited number of leaders” only. Despite the small intended audience, he conceded that the content of the report contained “provocative and explicit expressions directed at K-pop artists”. He did not say why the provocation and the explicitness were necessary for the recipients of the document. Or the criticism of very young stars-in-training, such as “they debuted at an age when they’re at their most unattractive” and “surprisingly, none of them are pretty.” For many K-pop fans, especially in the Land of Smiles, an apology may not be enough.