Fans of BTS have pleaded with the K-pop band’s management company HYBE to fire Scooter Braun, the CEO of HYBE-America, for his pro-Israel views amid the war in Gaza.
The Korea Times reported on Wednesday that some BTS fans, commonly known as the ARMY, reacted with anger over Braun delivering a speech in Israel in December that supported the country’s war effort, and also called for the return of the hostages taken during the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas.
On Feb. 23, according to local media reports, a group of BTS fans hired an electronic billboard truck and sent it to HYBE’s headquarters in central Seoul. “Korean and International ARMY demand HYBE divests from Zionism and Zionists in the industry,” the message displayed on the truck said in both English and Korean alongside clips of devastation from the war in Gaza.
The message continued, “If our demands are not met, ARMY will continue to push for you to meet our demands. Do not look away when the same thing that happened to your Korean ancestors is happening to Palestinians. We ask that you stand for humanity, for the right side of history and against violence.”
Btw i think this is the last day the truck will be parked at hybe SO YALL NEED TO TREND #하이브시오니스트를제거하다 #HYBEDivestFromZionism AND SPAM KMEDIAAAAAAAAA pic.twitter.com/UgVnbyIPXO
— Miriam FESTA⁷🎬 (⟭⟬ face🪞 ✨💜) (@hobiriam) February 24, 2024
On social media, BTS fans have pushed hashtags such as #HYBEDivestFromZionism to raise awareness of their campaign to oust Braun. Fans have also intimated that they will stop purchasing music and merchandise related to HYBE and its artists unless the label accedes to their demands.
BTS fans have long been known for their online activism, particularly on X, Instagram and TikTok. The band’s supporters are vocal supporters of the Black Lives Matter and other social justice movements, and also played a small role in disrupting Donald Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign, including falsely ordering tickets to Trump’s rallies, so that the attendances would be lower than expected or cancelled outright.
The Korea Times reports that HYBE addressed Braun’s speech in a statement that said, “It is a personal statement that is separate from company management.” Although, the label has yet to address the demands made by BTS fans via the truck messages.
The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to HYBE and reps for Scooter Braun for further comment.
as long as scooter braun is involved with future projects of hybe artists, I will not be purchasing any albums, merch, or other related content. #HYBEDivestFromZionism
#하이브시오니스트를제거하다 #freepalestine pic.twitter.com/4g2Zc7kfwh— randi⁷ 🇵🇸 (@bts_trology) February 29, 2024
HYBE, formerly known as Big Hit Entertainment, acquired Braun’s Ithaca Holdings in 2021, a deal that would later see the American music mogul become CEO of HYBE-America.
In that December speech in Tel Aviv, Braun said his grandmother was a survivor of Auschwitz and that he “had to come and stand with my people.” He added he had spoken with some of the survivors of the Supernova rave, where over 360 people were killed on Oct. 7 by Hamas.
