Data leak at Hybe’s Weverse exposes risks in K-pop’s global fansign lottery model

Source: The Korea Herald

A data breach at South Korean's Weverse, the global fan platform operated by K-pop powerhouse Hybe, has reignited debate over the transparency of the industry’s opaque fan event lottery systems, after evidence emerged that a platform staffer attempted to manipulate fan signing event results using private user data in November. The controversy surfaced Jan. 2 after leaked messenger conversations began circulating on social media, showing a Weverse employee asking whether it was possible to view applicant identities or exclude specific fans from winner lists. The conversations included references to sensitive personal information, such as questioning how many albums a fan had purchased — a key factor in determining the likelihood of winning. Full Story