"'Not Hoarding' Song Ha-ye X Youngtak's Suspicion, 'Anstar Company' Closes Down with 'Atoning Heart'"

Trot singer Youngtak. Photo by Youngtak (Instagram capture)

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Anstar Company announced that it has decided to close down after clarifying the chart manipulation allegations involving singers Song Ha-ye and Young Tak.

On the 26th, Anstar Company stated in an official position, "Regarding the chart manipulation allegations involving certain singers mentioned a few days ago, we judged that false public opinion continues to be created with untrue content, and no more victims should arise."

They added, "On March 30, 2017, we established the artificial intelligence curation company 'Creativer' Inc. and developed an AI curation-based 'music streaming' platform until last year. During the development process, we conducted various technical tests such as 'streaming,' 'comments,' 'likes,' as well as 'chart manipulation' and 'comment manipulation,' and have a history of monitoring and analyzing other companies' music sites."

Regarding the chart manipulation controversy, they explained, "In the IT industry, it is natural to analyze the platforms of early market leaders when developing new systems. The simple testing process that occurred during this was misunderstood as actual 'chart manipulation' because the sales and business content of our subsidiary marketing company were pieced together like a puzzle."

Concerning the chart manipulation allegations surrounding Song Ha-ye and Young Tak, they said, "The simple tests conducted on songs from companies we were acquainted with coincided in timing and were misunderstood as chart manipulation," and "Our company did not engage in chart manipulation activities for singers from the various companies recently mentioned. We neither have the capacity nor the technology to do so."

Anstar Company announced that it will close the company with a repentant heart regarding the chart manipulation allegations. The company stated, "We will bear the losses and withdraw and cancel the opening of the music platform we have developed over the past several years with investments of tens of billions of won. We have decided to close the company and leave the related industry forever with a repentant heart. We sincerely apologize to singers Song Ha-ye and Young Tak, who are completely unrelated to chart manipulation."

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