Significant Data Leak from K-Pop Agencies: A Controversy Unfolds
On March 31, 2025, a major controversy erupted in the K-pop industry when a purported ex-employee of YG Entertainment leaked an extensive trove of unreleased materials from several K-pop agencies. This individual, who claims to have been recently dismissed from YG Entertainment, opted for Discord as their platform of choice to share the confidential information.
Extent of the Leaked Data
The individual in question asserts that they possess an astonishing amount of data—terabytes worth—from seven different entertainment companies, including the prominent “Big Three”: SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and JYP Entertainment, along with HYBE Corporation. The leaked materials reportedly feature a wide range of sensitive content, such as trainee videos, previously unreleased songs, and other private documents.
The leaked information was organized into folders designated for each agency. The data breakdown is chilling: SM Entertainment reportedly has 34 TB of content, YG Entertainment logs in at 95 TB, JYP Entertainment at a staggering 223 TB, HYBE at 23 TB, CUBE Entertainment at 12 TB, Blockberry at 108 TB, and RBW and its subsidiaries contain 28 TB.
Viral Footage and Immediate Reactions
The issue gained substantial media traction as various online platforms began broadcasting audio and video footage attributed to the ex-YG employee. Among the leaked materials were videos featuring BLACKPINK members engaging in English songs without the typical edits, including the controversial use of racial slurs.
Moreover, a song by BTS that dates back to 2012, which had been rejected prior to the group’s 2013 debut, was also part of the leak, further igniting discussions across the internet.
While some fans expressed outrage over this breach of privacy, a significant portion of them flocked to the Discord channel to view the leaked materials firsthand. On social media, reactions varied widely; on the platform X, one user lamented the state of K-pop, stating:
“It’s over for K-pop”
Following the chaos, speculation arose regarding the timing of the leak coinciding with actor Kim Soo-hyun’s press conference addressing rumors surrounding his past relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron, a minor at the time.
“I’m sorry, but you people believing the yg leaker on discord need to use your brain because why would someone leak on discord and why would a former yg employee have tea on stuff from other companies. Also, this is the way they talk. It sounds like K-pop stan Twitter,”a fan wrote.
“Just when the highest-paid actor in sk finally decides to “come clean” about the disgusting things he’s done, out of nowhere, some anonymous hacker leaks unseen kpop material. damage control at its worst, and you’re all falling for it. every. damn. time,” another fan noted.
“Wait isn’t that weird to yall how they will leak these the same moment as Kim Soohyun’s press conference day..????”another fan emphasized.
In contrast, some fans cautioned against accepting the leaked information at face value, warning that it might incite new fan rivalries.
“108TB for Blockberry is CRAZY when the only active group they had was LOONA,”a fan remarked.
“Hey friends, I highly recommend taking whatever kpop leaks get posted with a grain of salt, as I highly doubt everything moving forward is valid information; but everyone’s gonna eat it up anyway and use it to start fanwars,”another fan added.
“Never have I thought that sm and hybe would be one of the companies with the least leaks,”another fan wrote.
Background and Previous Leak Incidents in K-Pop
This incident is not isolated; the K-pop industry has seen various data breaches in the past, including significant responses from agencies like YG Entertainment and HYBE. In October 2022, YG Entertainment proactively requested police involvement to investigate the unauthorized distribution of private photographs featuring BLACKPINK’s Jennie.
More recently, in October 2024, HYBE faced backlash after a leaked internal document dubbed the “Industry Trends Report”surfaced online. This document, intended exclusively for Hybe executives, contained derogatory commentary about K-pop artists from other agencies and even minors. The revelations emerged during a National Assembly audit, leading to a public outcry.
Amidst the mounting criticism, HYBE’s COO, Kim Tae-ho, clarified that the content reflected public opinions and did not represent the company’s views. In a follow-up, HYBE’s CEO, Lee Jae-sang, publicly apologized, acknowledging the negative impact of the leaked content on artists, the industry, and fans alike.
As of now, YG Entertainment has yet to comment on the latest controversy regarding the alleged leaks from its former employee.