[Apha Biz=(Chicago) Reporter Paul Lee] The Fair Trade Commission, which is investigating allegations of selling idol photo cards to three entertainment companies (SM·JYP·YG), conducted an on-site investigation of HIVE.

According to the entertainment industry on the 3rd, the FTC conducted an on-site investigation on HYBE.

Starting with SM Entertainment (SM) on the 31st of last month, the Fair Trade Commission has conducted an on-site survey of three entertainment companies, including JYP Entertainment (JYP.Ent) and YG Entertainment (YG Entertainment).

As HYBE is also included in the field survey, the suspicion of selling is expanding throughout the industry. An industry official said, "The entertainment company 'Big 5' such as HIBE and Cube Entertainment will be included in the survey." Usually, the big five companies include Entertainment 3, Hive and Cube Entertainment.

Analysts say that if different products were unfairly sold while selling them, it could be an unfair trade act under the Fair Trade Act. The FTC's on-site investigation is also interpreted as a measure that takes this into account.

Early last month, the FTC also conducted an on-site investigation into whether the top five entertainment companies, including HYBE, SM, YG and JYP, violated the subcontracting law.

An FTC official said, "We cannot reveal whether or not to investigate the specific case."

 

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