I dont know... As a swiftie I dont like the guy at all, he may be savage in bussiness but thats why he doesnt care about the artists he manages. Justin is having a hard time now after dedicating all his life to the industry. I'm from Colombia and let me tell you balvin made the worst mistakes of his carreer while being with scooter, he doesnt have the love of his home country anymore. He doesnt promote tory kelly and didt help demi much. As an army im not very excited to see him near the boys. Is obvious seven was a hit cause he was behind it. As you said in the video, it makes sense that hybe bought ithaka, lets just hope for the best.

It was hard on Taylor and Swifties when that happened with Braun. However, because of that she is re-recording her old albums. (And good for her. Smart move.) At one time this summer I think she was charting eleven albums on the Billboard 200! I think she is a savy business woman and I have a lot of respect for her.

Thanx again for another informative video. Your way of breaking it down is the 1st time I understood the issues.

Thank you for your thoughts on this topic.

Thanks for your objective approach to a sensitive & under or misunderstood topic. I find the whole BigHit history interesting & curious to see how HYBE manages the various labels they've acquired over the years. With the advantages of acquiring each label also comes the drama & negative aspects. BigHit itself sounded like they were going to change the industry with things like giving artists more autonomy, etc, but not sure how that will influence the other labels under HYBE. Only time will tell...

Great analysis! Thanks for the logical, business view.

Thank you for this excellent vid!!! 💜

Thank you for this analysis. I was commenting on another site and trying to explain possible business motivations for this acquisition. I just didn’t have enough information or the business knowledge to analyze properly. I’ll be linking to this video when I’m on other sites when the topic is addressed. If you have not already done so, could you do an analysis of what the whole HYBE/SM play was about? I thought they were stopping a challenge to Weverse. Was that at least part of what was going on?

Is Ithaca only considering JK among BTS members to stretch his career in North America ? I mean other members songs & albums are doing well in the US too. Armies have been divided and has been fighting because of how Jimin's songs was treated over JK's single. As far as i know Jimin's Like Crazy 2 versions were separated while Jk's versions are combined . Also that #1 BB Hot 100 , BB deletion of sales ,, no congratulatory msg from BH or Hybe. BTS fans are pointing fingers at Scooter for unfair treatment

I think there's a general misconception on how the music business works in the States versus in Korea. US keeps managers and record labels separate. Of the four artists mentioned, only Bieber is signed to a record label owned by Ithaca; the others are only managed by him. From what I understand, by law the executives of record labels cannot manage artists signed to their company - conflict of interest. Thus, the artists leaving Scooter as their manager would be a result of his becoming CEO of HYBE America and not some fight against him. Ithaca is NOT a Korean entertainment company. The earnings from these artists' music don't come to Ithaca; only the % commission of their management fee does. I think the Korean investing public and fans in general are confused about this fact. There might also be a sunset clause in their contract that will bring residual fees into the company for a period of time to come. Finally, Scooter is a savvy hustlers, the kind of operator the US music industry is infested with. Having him on his side is a smart move by Bang PD, imo. So many foreign people have tried to make inroads into the US marked and been burned by the locals; you want the biggest, baddest dog on your side. Unpopular opinion: the vilification of Braun by Swift was a smart business move on her part and should be taken with a grain of salt. Not saying he is innocent, but he's not the evil incarnate she painted him to be either.

I agree with you, when the SM showdown was coming to an end, there were talks of Hybe looking to invest in Latin America and in other American labels. The investment of Ithaca and Scooter was in potential growth rather than the value of the company and its portfolio at the time of the acquisition. I do think there is some restructuring happening right now. Time to wait and see.

PD BANG FAILED to do his research on Scooter B..he’s a manipulative & hated character

i’m not a Swifty but I don’t like how this man treated her. She’s top notch just like BTS and I get mad at bang because he’s putting those boys in the situation. Well, those young Men. I'm American but I pray the guys don't EVER get comfortable here. Is PURE EVIL🇺🇸

hi! can you do a video of the fki inviting hybe to their "exclusive" club I guess

Very interesting. You mentioned how HYBE changed the way fans interacted with stars and that it deserved its own separate post. I do look forward to hear more about that, and about how HYBE is changing the Korean (and world) music industry. They seem very savvy to me. tyvm

Nice video cause you did it with a rational focus wish is better then emotional. So my opinion is, yes Scooter is really good at business, that no one can deny, he does what he has to do to close a deal or reach his goal, that’s what the business world is all about. But even doe he is good and he gives HYBE 20y of experience, we can’t forget his own words, he already said that he doesn’t like to work with group, he prefer individual, and if anyone is blind to wish individual he already choose and preferred to work with within BTS, then you are 100% blind (yes I’m speaking about jk). My question is, how much, his preferences will hurt the group at long run, Bang PD already said that is really difficult for BTS to come back as a group in 2025, their contracts have to be renewed next year, so we will have to wait until then to understand exactly how the group will maneuver itself, the boys stated many times BTS will remain together, but remain together mean with HYBE, all together? I don’t know. Cause there has being too many sabotages from this company against their own members (some of them) for anyone to say things are good. So, other then that I have a question to pose you, they are planning to acquire a Latin label, Scooter even sold part of his shares to do so, maybe those guys leaving has something to do with it, cause even doe they make big money it’s also big money to manage them, so maybe they just cut cost, who knows. What you think? I just have a gut feeling that there’s something coming, and it’s going to reshape the industry, cause BTS are monsters, they are a brand, each member can make itself actually without the need of HYBE or Ithaca now, so I wonder how they are with that knowledge, because sometimes labels sabotage in artist to decrease their brand market value so it’s easier to let him go or renew a contract with less value. Too much sabotage is going on, and I’m speaking about jimin if anyone is wondering, it’s weird how they are treating in Artist that is making big on charts. Weird. So let’s wait and see.

HYBE & PD Bang SACRIFICED the company’s GOOD REPUTATION for Scooter B..BAD move!..HYBE will get ROBBED in the end.

I would expect Bang PD to look into purchasing a smaller broadcaster, like a network of local radio stations. Both as future landing pad for idols who want to soft-retire into hosting and MCing, an additional promo platform and a way to change the whole spins conversation. However I'm not American so I wouldn't know if there are regulatory or similar restrictions on such a purchase.

As a Stock holder, you are speaking truth. No one really likes SB however, he is like Trump when it comes to business. I hold over 30 shares in KPOP ETF and have been watching how the managers have diversified it with various industries like Naver, Kakao, AfreecaTV and various Agencies.. Hybe, SM and JYP being the highest %s as of the writing of this message. Thank you soo much for your indebt non emotional based explanations. Many times, people put their emotions in things when in fact, its all business.

He is a criminal and he is dangerous

Where is Lenzo now?

There is a lot of info Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, J.Bieber are leaving Scooter all at once ... it's not only Taylor 🤔

Your analysis is great, however, it may have left out a few of my concerns. Carlyle Group invested in Ithaca in 2017 and it also invested, with Scooter Braun, in Big Label Group. I suspect Scooter Braun was motivated to buy out Carlyle using the funds from Hybe. Carlyle and other large American based private equity firms are known to focus on encouraging financially complex strategies that are not necessarily appropriate for the industry they have invested in. This is not hearsay but my experience in constructing these strategies. I have read in several publications that JK will be the first Hybe artist to contract with Hybe North America for his solo activities. As a fan, I think specific members of BTS will be served well by having a foot in the North American market, especially JK, Jimin, and Hobi. It worries me because until recently Hybe has done everything for BTS’ members including defining their public image. JK, in particular, has been wrapped in cellophane. In other words, sheltered. His move to the US could be a shock. When I hear that Mr Bang intends to change the American market, I feel concern. This is a bold statement for a foreigner in the land of prejudice and resistance to change. I do think the American music market could benefit from some aspects of the South Korean equivalent but will the US be open to this? I think there are multiple reasons for artists leaving Ithaca. They vary from concern that their sexuality could be challenged (Demi Lovato) to their income will be reduced or they want to branch out into acting or stage (Ariana Grande). In addition, Mr Bang has talked about a platform for creative pursuits. He was vague so I suspect he is forming a picture of how this will be delivered. He has developed a relationship with CAA which would benefit those who want to act or publish (Taehyung).

MR PD is a smart businessman & know about western music industry. I don’t think he want to be @ the bottom again after working so hard to be on top & I hope he continue to protect our boys

It just gets worse and worse with Scooter. Now Hybe has been forced to defend Scooter going to a warzone to fundraise and defend Isreal's genocide. It's heartbreaking to watch.

My head understands what you are saying makes sense but my heart just can not stand SB and don’t want him anywhere near BTS💜

Interesting. I wondered with all the negativity regarding Scooter Braun and Taylor Swift, if that was his modus operandi in working with top artists. Bang Pd has business acumen so we will see. Remember when Hybe stocks went down due to BTS's break? Artists under Scooter were not happy due to the loss. What are they saying now? Scooter wants to make money as with any others in the industry.

This is such an interesting topic and your analysis is intriguing. I agree with you in principle. It's still early days yet, so time will tell whether the investment made by Hybe and Bang PD is value for money. P.S. I'm curious as to the truth of why Scooter Braun is so reviled. Is it a case of resentment over his success, or is he an obnoxious person?

I’m concerned about Scooter Braun’s influence on BTS. Seven is a massive hit but at what cost? The song tends towards misogyny. F*uck you is used as threat or in anger way more than it is between lovers. And when it is used between lovers it’s to express a mutual need for hot sex right now or soon. Mutual, not as the MV shows where the woman isn’t interested. She says no repeatedly while the man stalks her. She’s not even upset to see him dead. The MV ends with her giving in to him. A male fantasy. Stalk and every woman will fall for you. This MV is only successful because the man is JK, but the underlying stereotype of stalking is still there. Why not show two consenting adults lusting for each other through disasters and finally falling together? I worry it’s because of the culture of Braun.

I appreciate your analysis of and explanation of the workings behind Hybe/Ithaca Holdings. When I first heard of Hybe “purchasing “ Ithaca, I thought NO, not Scooter Braun! Your video helped to calm my fears for BTS. I couldn’t blame Bieber and Grande for leaving. I’m glad that BTS can see a future after the military that won’t be tarnished by Ithaca Holdings.

kanye to

None of this has been confirmed. It is all rumors. So Waite for confirmation from hybe

It was successful buying by far. The numbers of sales growth in U.S prove it. Brown helped JK Seven mega hit over the world with SB projects teams. It could be better to resign with Ariana, but she wants to go to the different way from Hybe. It needs multi millons for resigning with her too. I guess Hybe and SB decided to let her go. They can make new stars like Kid Laroy. Jungkook's mega hit also gave them so much confident too. Scooter is co ceo now, he can't support Ariana and Bibber as a manager what he could do before. As a CEO of Hybe America, he has lots of works to be planned, organized and excuted well in American.

BTS and its members should RUN RUN RUN AWAY FAST FAST FAST from Scooter Braun.

I don't know this guy Scooter Braun but basing on what he did if true with Taylor sucks😢

How SB helped Jungook with his single to be it seems like SB is grioming JK to be the next JB ans eventually he woth do the same thing to JK abd back stab him, like hes dont with hos previous artists.

Hmm...

I appreciate your piece and learned alot. I still don't like Scooter Braun-I also didn't like the tone of some of what I saw with him and Jung Kook while Seven was being recorded-it was disrespectful/demeaning towards an established artist I thought-perhaps I was reading too much into the brief clips but I saw a westerner taking credit for a coming success that is not really his success. Braun may have had the song but the vision for the song and the song's reach, seems to me, to be due nearly exclusively to Jung Kook. I have noticed that KZfaq hasn't seemed to filter the streams of Seven like it has with other BTS and BTS solo projects-and I've wondered if that might have to do with Braun's influence. Another thing I wondered about: I thought Scooter Braun was accompanying Jung Kook on some of the promotional events for Seven but whoever was in charge wasn't even ensuring that those interviewing Jung Kook knew his name-some of them were calling him Jung and Kook-he was very polite but it bothered me for him and I wondered who fell down on that job.

JM's fans are wondering for months why Hybe and BigHit are not supporting his album and doing nothing to prevent sabotages that are happening for months on all platforms YT, Spotify, even Hanteo ... now when BB sent the plaques for the 1st place on BB Hot 100 to the producers (they shared pics) and of course all other creators of LC and JM as well, we see that a song was released under UMG label ... the same UMG label is written on the Gold Music Canada Certificate ... can you please explain what this means for relationship between JM and company ? Thanks for all interesting information ... one more question, is UMG also a part of Hybe ? I googled UMG, but there I didn't find the answer

I believe HYBE made a mistake buying Ithaca. I can already see the Western influence over Jungkook, and frankly, I don’t think it’s a good thing. Scooter Braun just lost Demi Levato and Ariana grande as clients, and anyone who knows anything about Taylor Swift is aware of the massive betrayal she felt after finding out he sold all of her music master tapes to an investment company for around $300 million. Now he’s the CEO of HYBE. I am concerned about the future of HYBE K-POP artists.

I would be interested in knowing what the artists under Ithaca has been doing since they became subsidiary under HYBE. I don’t follow current western artists so have they been producing projects like BTS and it’s members? Scooter Braun seems like a very smart businessman who saw opportunities and went for it. Isn’t that what business strategies are about? If John Doe did the same thing would people be hating on him. Sounds like jealousy. Regarding Taylor Swift’s first 6 albums it’s my understanding that she signed a contract in her young age to give her label the rights to own them. So why did Scooter Braun become the bad guy for buying them from the label and then selling them with huge profit. Sounds like a good business strategy.

I feel like Bang PD do not belong to that group, extreme greed characters, so am looking forward to the evolution of the music industry, for the better, where artist are paid reasonably and promoted in good faith. Stop payola???

I dont like nor trust Braun simply because he made his fortune of Justin Biebers back yet refused to step in and help his young artist through his dark times and has abandoned him now to create his own seedy greedy empire. Look at Justin now, yes still releasing some music but at what cost. He is riddled with health problems and anxiety and has become resentful of his fame. Justin has been open about how overworked he was when he was still a teenager and young adult and the methods he used to cope. He turned to drinking and drugs which was exposed multiple times during his tours backstage. And for how close Justin and Braun were (because he was Brauns only client at the time), I think its disgusting Braun let it get so out of hand and sacrifice Justins mental and physical health, just so he can milk him like a cash cow. He failed to protect Justin and actually profited off his many struggles. He is not the good guy he markets himself as and I dont blame Justin for distancing himself and questioning how he was thrown to the wolves as a young boy surrounded by bad influences. Everyone talks about what he did to Taylor but hardly ever what hes done to Justin. I have to question his ethics and principles if that is his attitude towards his artists, and especially the one who made him rich.

Great piece with some excellent points unfortunately I can't get past my seething hatred for Mr. Braun. I don't need any lectures from anyone. I have my reasons and it has nothing to do with Seven. Love you ARMY.🫰💜

Scooter is bad, look what he also did to Taylor Swift.

Yes, 🛵 got shares, buy he’s already sold $15M worth. We tend to remember bad things but forget good ones. I’ll never forget him selling these masters when he knew that Taylor was interested in buying them. My opinion: 🛵 may be a shrewd businessman but a crooked one, plus he loves money too much. And although I know he has nothing to do with BHM, he is still crooked and now with BangPD here in the States, hopefully he has been keeping a big eye on 🛵. This is what I have an issue with and I wouldn’t like all that money BTS made with literally their blood sweat and tears to be squandered. We know without BTS there wouldn’t be a HYBE and all those groups that came after the boys. To this day with them enlisting they are still making more than all K Pop combined.

"Aledgedly" Taylor Swift had a very big 300 million $ Fight with Scooter Braun and, she did not like him, according to information read on Google. I am also worried for our "All 7" especially for our beloved JK! HYBE, beware and be aware... 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜🥰