For several months, many fans of HYBE groups have loudly protested against the company’s choices in support of Palestine, with a large focus on HYBE America CEO Scooter Braun. This has manifested in in-person protests, and fans have encouraged boycotts of everything coming from the company as fans demand the company remove all links to Zionism.
As a result, fans have taken a stand against the company, even in the face of new content from their favorite idols.
Recently, the believed effects of the boycott on J-Hope’s album sales have sparked outrage.
On March 29, the OST album for J-Hope’s Hope On The Street documentary was released, with a physical version dropped worldwide.
According to the Hanteo Chart, during the first week of sales totaled 467,000, a decrease from the sales of Jack In The Box Hope Edition by around 70,000. This decrease and “low” sales were attributed to the ongoing boycott efforts.
And this, everybody, is how you boycott https://t.co/za9eIdFS7I
— HYBE Boycott Updates (@hybeboycotts) April 3, 2024
Many expressed mixed feelings over this but stated the importance of the point the boycott was trying to make.
ppl being upset over this like we literally told u boycotting works and its consequences are gonna show but yall decided to not believe us https://t.co/CnCTJQRWa7
— sdl (seokjin dick long) (@bangingnamgi) April 2, 2024
Hobi I'm so sorry. Hope you understand the reason for doing this. I'm so upset I can't even enjoy your hard work. But we will soon, once hybe listens to us.
LISTEN TO OUR DEMANDS. DIVEST FROM ZIONISM. REMOVE @scooterbraun
#하이브는시오니스트를퇴출하라 #HYBEDivestFromZionism https://t.co/MvaPErdvCB
— Ish⁷ ♡🍉 (@UndiagnosedIsh_) April 4, 2024
I wanted to buy the album so bad but the shareholders decided scooter was worth the risk and this is where we are now. https://t.co/YLR4TICL91
— Golden⁷ 👩🏻🚀 Indigo JITB FACE D-DAY ʟᴀʏᴏ(ꪜ)ᴇʀ (@lovexkahea) April 4, 2024
not some of the qrts being mad bc of the boycott and saying that we're sabotaging hobi? Y'all should know that the boys are definitely aware of the reason of the boycott bc what's happening in Palestine is well known in SK now and there is no way the boys didn't hear of it by now https://t.co/L9qcfnMg3K
— lizzy 🇵🇸 a hopeless romantic (@cardansnemesis) April 4, 2024
On the other hand, many fans were angered by the results, claiming the ineffectiveness of the boycott across all HYBE groups. Several encouraged others to continue streaming and purchasing.
illit broke spotify records as an debut act, lessarafim & nj is charting well and have good stream numbers. txt surpassed 1m sales on the first day, 17's merch is sold out. um i thought y'all were boycotting or does it only apply to bts just asking?
— ࣪fan account (@kthvace) April 1, 2024
Army savior complex needs to be studied, y'all sabotaging an artist hard work which had nthing 2 do with 🛴. This is so embarrassing and I hope sj stans don't do this shit to sj. Your boycott is affecting the group you Stan while other artists under that same company is doin well https://t.co/EVVcnxV4kJ
— Mojito yuri (@Salt_Is_Saltyz) April 4, 2024
saying "why surprised there's a hybe boycott happening" with the whole chest like are you srs? coz ive been seeing other hybe artists selling millions on their first day for the past few days https://t.co/NLEmSSKTlj
— tay (@stellarjeonz) April 4, 2024
Keep boycotting the hard work of those People who worked hard to make their beloved fans happy 😤 SHAME ON YALL 😭😭😭 https://t.co/lugt1lRwLq
— purplewhaleʷᶦᵗʰ ᵇᵗˢ ⁷ (@sevenequalsbts) April 4, 2024
Just because it's bts and it's hobi, and that's why I hate yall for doing this to him. He deserves the world he's the one who benefits this album the most, and not to support him sounds awful. I'll never forget this, and I wish the worst for yall.Never call yourself army again. https://t.co/aes4xK6jYu
— Nomin¹³ (@NominJKJM) April 4, 2024
As the boycott efforts continue, there will likely be more conflicts as netizens choose whether to participate.
