BTS Fans Demand Hybe Fire Scooter Braun Over Pro-Israel Views

Fans of BTS have pleaded with the K-pop band’s management company Hybe to fire Scooter Braun, the CEO of Hybe-America, for his pro-Israel views amid the war in Gaza.

The Korea Times reported Wednesday that some BTS fans, commonly known as the ARMY, reacted to a speech Braun delivered in Israel in December that called for the return of the hostages taken during the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas.

On Feb. 23, according to local media reports, a group of BTS fans hired an electronic billboard truck and sent it to Hybe’s headquarters in central Seoul. “Korean and International ARMY demand HYBE divests from Zionism and Zionists in the industry,” the message displayed on the truck said in both English and Korean alongside clips of devastation from the war in Gaza.

The message continued, “If our demands are not met, ARMY will continue to push for you to meet our demands. Do not look away when the same thing that happened to your Korean ancestors is happening to Palestinians. We ask that you stand for humanity, for the right side of history and against violence.”

Btw i think this is the last day the truck will be parked at hybe SO YALL NEED TO TREND #하이브시오니스트를제거하다 #HYBEDivestFromZionism AND SPAM KMEDIAAAAAAAAA pic.twitter.com/UgVnbyIPXO

— Miriam FESTA⁷🎬 (⟭⟬ face🪞 ✨💜) (@hobiriam) February 24, 2024

On social media, BTS fans have pushed hashtags such as #HYBEDivestFromZionism to raise awareness of their campaign to oust Braun. Fans have also intimated that they will stop purchasing music and merchandise related to Hybe and its artists unless the label accedes to their demands.

BTS fans have long been known for their online activism, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and TikTok. The band’s supporters are vocal supporters of the Black Lives Matter and other social justice movements, and also played a small role in disrupting Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign, including falsely ordering tickets to Trump’s rallies, so that the attendances would be lower than expected or canceled outright.

as long as scooter braun is involved with future projects of hybe artists, I will not be purchasing any albums, merch, or other related content. #HYBEDivestFromZionism
#하이브시오니스트를제거하다 #freepalestine pic.twitter.com/4g2Zc7kfwh

— randi⁷ 🇵🇸 (@bts_trology) February 29, 2024

The Korea Times reports that Hybe addressed Braun’s speech in a statement that said, “It is a personal statement that is separate from company management.” Although, the label has yet to address the demands made by BTS fans via the truck messages.

A music industry source who is familiar with the BTS fan base claims that while the protesters have drawn outsized attention on social media, they represent just a minute fraction of the overall BTS universe or “less than .05 percent.”

Responding to the fracas, a source close to Braun says the HYBE C.E.O. “will continue to be an unequivocal supporter of peace and coexistence for both sides of the conflict, regardless of any charged online responses.”

Hybe, formerly known as Big Hit Entertainment, acquired Braun’s Ithaca Holdings in 2021, a deal that would later see the American music mogul become CEO of Hybe-America.

In that December speech in Tel Aviv, Braun said his grandmother was a survivor of Auschwitz and that he “had to come and stand with my people.” He added he had spoken with some of the survivors of the Supernova rave, where over 360 people were killed by Hamas on Oct. 7.

In late November, Braun also shared a statement on Instagram that said he prays “for every Israeli and Palestinian.”

“I have been to Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. I truly believe that most people want peace but for a small minority the pain of generations has created hate and despair. If we claim we want peace let’s not be a part of that despair,” Braun wrote in part. “So for those of you writing me hate… I won’t block you… I won’t shut you out. I will respond with kindness and respect and tell you now I don’t hate you. I pray for your peace… your happiness… and your right to existence and equality. The same I pray for every Israeli and Palestinian. Otherwise what is the point? Both sides are not going anywhere so let’s all strive for a world where we can start to see each other’s humanity.”

Feb. 29, 10:13 p.m.: A previous version of this story incorrectly said Scooter Braun’s December speech in Israel was in support of the war in Gaza; it was about the return of hostages. 

March 1, 10:27 a.m.: This story has been updated with context from music industry sources.

March 2, 10:01 a.m.: This story has been updated to include Braun’s November 26, 2023 Instagram post.