HYBE has been under fire recently for alleged links to a cult called Dahn World. More on the background of Dahn World and the original accusations can be read below. It covers how HYBE has been allegedly using artists such as BTS and TXT to spread their influence. It also digs into how GFRIEND might have potentially disbanded due to it.
HYBE Accused of Cult Association: Fan-Found “Evidences” Fuel Conspiracies
While NewJeans has already been heavily linked to the topic, with Min Hee Jin and the girls allegedly fighting back against the cult, BTS member Jungkook has been accused of using products that have ties to the Dahn World cult. Some of these claims have been debunked, while others have not.
1. Soy sauce
According to netizens, they spotted Jungkok using soy sauce from the brand Shin Ang Chon. He was spotted using the soy sauce on his various cooking live streams.
| @guiltyarchive/X
It was later clarified that although the soy sauce does belong to a cult, it is not Dahn World, but another one called Cheon Bu Gyo. The soy sauce is also heavily marketed on various shopping applications such as Coupang! through sponsored advertisements. Fans brush it off as Jungkook simply not being an informed shopper.
아 지랄쇼 존나해서 걍 지우고 다시올림
신앙촌간장은 천부교라는 사이비 간장 먹는거라 결코 단월드와 상관이 없다하고요
그 외는 아미눈아들도 반박못하는 것들임
다시 올릴게요 아휴 ㅁㅊ pic.twitter.com/8R9cUygn6P
— 길티아카이브 (@guiltyarchive) April 28, 2024
People are acting up, so I deleted the previous post and am uploading this again. The Shin Ang Chon soy sauce Jungkook ate is from the Cheon Bu Gyo cult, so ultimately it has zero ties to Dahn World. The rest of the post are things that even ARMYs cannot disprove, so I’ll upload the thread again. Crazy.
— guiltyarchive
2. Hwang Chil Ga skincare products
Jungkook was also spotted using skincare products from the brand Hwang Chil Ga. The brand is one that has links to Dahn World through the founders. The brand was also spotted using Jungkook’s name to advertise their products. After fans spotted the products on his vanity, the brand actively used the tagline “Jungkook’s choice! Natural Fermentation Skincare Products.”
The brand’s advertisement and fans spotting it on his vanity. | @guiltyarchive/x
Fans found the link between Dahn World and Hwang Chil Ga through a post on Dahn World’s forum. A member claimed in 2019 that the products were specially sold to the members of the cult at their official center. The member also claims that “the famous BTS also uses the products.”
| Instiz
While some fans have been claiming that Jungkook uses a wide variety of skincare products, he has the whole line of products from the brand on his vanity. Some fans claim that it is possible that they were given to him by HYBE as a form of “backdoor advertisement” for the cult and brand.
3. Weverse
Not only this, but HYBE’s Weverse has been claimed to be influenced by the cult too. A company called Weavers’ Mind runs a famous brain-training academy called Brain Study. Brain Study has been known to be a part of the Dahn World cult, with many testifying that they conduct teachings by Dahn World including meditation methods and more. Unknowing parents send their children there in hopes that they will receive brain training for better studying.
Netizens have been claiming that Weverse was named after Weavers’ Mind, as both “Weverse” and “Weavers” are written the same way in Korean. On the other hand, Weavers’ Mind has denied claims that they are linked to the cult through a post on their social media.
Brain Study’s comment.
This is Weavers’ Mind education company. We do not have any ties to the establishment being mentioned. The things being mentioned are completely untrue, and we will be taking the necessary legal action.
— Brain Study
Despite their denial, netizens remain unconvinced.
You can read more about the accusations in relation to other artists below.
Weverse was also allegedly named after a company linked to the cult.