[Comprehensive] Music Chart Manipulation Dispute... Song Ha-ye "No Manipulation. Will Respond Strongly" vs Jeong Min-dang "Investigation Needed on Song Ha-ye's Side"

Allegations of Song Ha-ye's Music Manipulation Raised by Jeongmindang [Image Source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Sung-yeol] When the Jeongmin Party Preparatory Committee for Party Formation raised suspicions that the singer Song Ha-ye's agency, The Hagi Media, engaged in music chart manipulation, Song Ha-ye's side announced a strong response.

On the 8th at 3 p.m., the Jeongmin Party held a press conference at the National Assembly Press Hall and released a photo that appeared to show a representative from the promotional agency Anstar Company manipulating music charts.

The photo showed a scene from May 25 of last year, where an Anstar Company representative was playing Song Ha-ye's song "Ni Sosik" on two computer screens.

Song Ha-ye's "Ni Sosik," released on May 11 last year, showed a vertical rise in the music charts starting from the day the photo was taken. The song, which was ranked 35th on Melon on May 29, rose to 2nd place by July 1.

Spokesperson Kim Geun-tae said, "The email address of the Anstar Company representative who attempted music chart manipulation matched those of two reporters who have written promotional and advertising articles for an internet media outlet," adding, "Manipulation and distortion of public opinion are evils that hinder a trustworthy society and undermine fairness."

Based on this video, the Jeongmin Party plans to file a complaint against The Hagi Media and the promotional agency Anstar Company at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

Singer Song Ha-ye [Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, on the 8th, The Hagi Media stated, "We are currently reviewing the legal aspects of the Jeongmin Party's remarks about a specific artist without confirmed facts, and after hiring a lawyer, we plan to respond strongly."

They continued, "Furthermore, we have not conducted any work related to chart manipulation with Anstar Company, which filmed the video and captured images released by the Jeongmin Party, and we also plan to take legal action against Anstar Company."

They added, "Our company has not engaged in any chart manipulation related to Song Ha-ye, and we will continue to take strong measures regarding the ongoing suspicions of manipulation."

Meanwhile, suspicions of music chart manipulation first drew public attention last November when Park Kyung of the idol group Block B mentioned specific singers on his social network service (SNS) and posted, "I want to do some chart manipulation too."

Subsequently, the mentioned singers denied the manipulation allegations entirely and filed complaints against Park Kyung for defamation and violations of the Information and Communications Network Act due to false information. Song Ha-ye was also on the list of singers mentioned by Park Kyung, and her agency has likewise filed a complaint against him.

On the 4th, SBS's "Unanswered Questions" covered the music chart manipulation suspicions, continuing the controversy.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.