Is the company really protecting the artists?
52 minutes ago
LE SSERAFIM’s latest release, “Celebration,” has ended up igniting suspicions that HYBE has been subjecting the group to toxic restrictions during this comeback.
LE SSERAFIM | Source Music
The discourse started with the changed choreography of the song at a recent university festival performance. Though the original included heavy headbanging in the chorus part, LE SSERAFIM appeared to have tweaked the part for recent live performances at Soongsil University to completely omit that part. However, even with this changed choreography, Chaewon appeared to be struggling to move her neck.
glad they finally changed celebration’s headbanging choreo but looks like chaewon’s neck is still hurting.. i really hope she’s okay and taking care of herself 🙁 pic.twitter.com/dB2dOZfOSs
— 지오 (@agicheetah) May 15, 2026
While fans have been worried that the specific move could hurt the members in the long run, clips of Chaewon struggling have sparked a backlash at a higher level, with many fans calling it a grave oversight on the choreographer’s and the label’s part.
it looks like it’s hurting so much, FCK YOU @SOURCEMUSIC https://t.co/Ji2bxAL7Pp
— 🌪 (@msgzuha) May 15, 2026
very silly that was ever the choreo in the first place, everyone involved should have known that wasn’t sustainable https://t.co/Ak4n60N6SM
— lucky (@aluckygrl) May 15, 2026
mind you a whole member had to be injured & hurt for them to eventually reevaluate the choreo when fans showed concerns since the beginning.. there’s so much wrong with this company. https://t.co/GVETZJWw6l
— 🌊 (@sonderhyj) May 15, 2026
As the controversy erupted, some fans also discovered a clip from a live broadcast where Chaewon was seen muttering about her neck pain. However, what struck many as shocking was how startled Sakura was to hear her say that and the way she signaled to shush her. Chaewon immediately retracted her statement and started moving her neck around to show she was fine. Though all the members broke into laughter, the moment actually came across as rather concerning to fans. Many ended up questioning whether LE SSERAFIM’s management was forcing them to hide their injuries from fans.
what’s even more concerning is they weren’t allowed to talk about the neck pain…. what is wrong with this company pic.twitter.com/l1ZaZk6LcB https://t.co/9ZVvyAJrYO
— it’s amze♡ (@chaeizm) May 16, 2026
This incident brought up an even older instance when Sakura was seen limping during the group’s schedules, but she never actually spoke about what had happened. Many fans felt that these two incidents conclusively showed that the group was being restricted from openly talking about their injuries.
Remember when Sakura was limping and we were worried and ” fearnot” said she hasn’t said anything so we shouldn’t be worried??? How do y’all feel now ??? It was clear that they didn’t allow them to talk about injuries but y’all are too delusional to understand https://t.co/HiX6nCY7Zb pic.twitter.com/WgGrpE06Gl
— Kku Star³⁹🌸 (@star_kku) May 16, 2026
With this suspicion making rounds on X (formerly Twitter), many NewJeans fans chimed in, calling people’s attention back to Hanni’s past testimony about her group going through workplace bullying under HYBE’s management.
oh but i thought newjeans were lying… https://t.co/FnxJATmdBh
— 🐈⬛ྀིྀི (@dittokja) May 17, 2026
girlll…. why didnt we listen to newjeans … https://t.co/5MyjqyZlpK
— weedku (@quitexciting) May 17, 2026
See what happens when you defend a company and paint Idols who spoke up about the company as Liars? https://t.co/VC5isiCia5
— Anything NJZ (@LoveStarzz1) May 17, 2026
Overall, these accusations have opened up broader discussions about the freedom, or the lack thereof, of idols under the K-Pop industry’s restrictive norms.
those slave contracts are crazy… https://t.co/hKFLS0jIya
— dustín 🖤 (@donotstin) May 17, 2026
Idol life can be very off putting at times. Gives robotic when they aren’t ‘allowed’ to be the human they are. https://t.co/bc9esRnDEI
— BestFriend (@SKZBestFriend4) May 17, 2026
yall this is literally insane??? https://t.co/tZjNN2qzOu
— t ✩ FUCK SM (@ac11dbarbiee) May 16, 2026