South Korea’s decision to investigate K-pop juggernaut BTS’ agency Hybe over a chart-rigging scandal has faced backlash from the boy band’s fans who accused the government of “disrespecting” the stars despite their cultural influence powering the economy and demanded an apology from Seoul.
The ministry of culture, sports and tourism said the state-run Korea Creative Content Agency would examine a petition that alleged Hybe was blackmailed into paying a third-party vendor and his accomplices who were aware of its unethical business tactics in 2017.
The ministry said the agency would…
