HYBE takes legal action over BTS album 'Arirang' leaks

HYBE, through its subsidiary BigHit Music, has initiated legal action to identify an anonymous social media user accused of leaking content from BTS’ comeback album “Arirang” ahead of its highly anticipated release.

According to a court petition obtained by Billboard, BigHit filed a request in a U.S. court on April 9 seeking to uncover the identity behind the X (formerly Twitter) account @jwngkcck.

The label alleged that the user posted portions of songs, lyrics, and artwork from “Arirang” in early March, weeks before the album’s official release.

The filing asks a judge to issue a subpoena compelling X to disclose the account holder’s identity.

BigHit said it plans to use this information to pursue a civil case in South Korea, seeking damages for alleged copyright and trade secret violations.

“BigHit and BTS invest extensive resources into planning and executing the most effective release of albums, songs, lyrics and associated material as possible, so as to have the greatest possible impact on potential listeners and the market when the media are released,” the document said.

The unauthorized posts, it argued, “destroyed the element of surprise” and negatively affected both reputation and potential sales.

The posts in question have since been removed from the @jwngkcck account.

BigHit noted that the user also changed their display name, previously “BTS ARIRANG LEAK,” after the company filed copyright infringement reports with the platform.

Representatives for both BigHit and X has not responded to Billboard’s requests for comment as of April 13.

BTS released "Arirang" on March 20 and it has since earned the South Korean supergroup new career highs and records.

They kicked off the Arirang World Tour earlier this month. They are set to visit the Philippines in 2027. —Carby Rose Basina/JCB, GMA News