“HYBE Payola!” KATSEYE’s Appearance At The VMAs Embroiled In Controversy
KATSEYE‘s recent appearance and achievements at the 2025 VMAs have sparked controversy.
The members attended the 2025 VMAs on September 7 (local time), during which KATSEYE won the award for “Best Push.”
KATSEYE accepting the award for "Best Push" at the #VMAs .#KATSYE @katseyeworld pic.twitter.com/6CGk8a4zZ2
— KATSEYE News (@NewsKatseye) September 8, 2025
Yet, the win had criticism after netizens accused HYBE of doing “payola” as the winners of the award since 2022 have gone to groups from the company.
HYBE's monopoly over this specific VMAs award is getting weird. https://t.co/6UeiomHxJb pic.twitter.com/yGzZHgecAd
— ⍤ (@jisuluver) September 8, 2025
This award is literally a bought category for hybe groups lmao https://t.co/ns7GfZlZcA
— ᯓ★ (@rosethre) September 8, 2025
katseye is my bae but it's lowkey funny how hybe admitted paying for this award lmao https://t.co/vG4cshQPYS
— Pikachu (@quarrelpinks) September 8, 2025
Sophia also sparked backlash after she thanked HYBE founder Bang Si Hyuk for the award, with many hitting back at his problematic behavior, and also linking to HYBE’s “buying” the award.
girl…💀 pic.twitter.com/O3Ei0rmlLn
— roxi (@roxiicon) September 8, 2025
“thank you to our chairman bang for paying our award”
— ً (@pinksarea) September 8, 2025
thanking a criminal who is being sought by the police rm https://t.co/BhYedRrPJH
— ً (@beomgytal) September 8, 2025
Their performance of “Gnarly” also sparked some controversy.
KATSEYE performing “Gnarly” at the #VMAs. pic.twitter.com/GbRAooK8ZT
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 7, 2025
In the comments, some netizens were obsessed, but others criticized the song, and some even thought the interactions on the tweet were bought by HYBE.
they HAVE to have better music out there, this song is horrible lmaoo pic.twitter.com/EVXMRoiIbw https://t.co/ujivey1DmL
— Cxntyvision (@cxntyvision) September 8, 2025
This is a legit song and they’re legit artists? https://t.co/5bHi4RBDqu pic.twitter.com/UnOS0gaCWY
— Professional Olandria Defender (@YaFaveNot) September 8, 2025
i almost forgot how bad this song is https://t.co/FRSNLyRLPT
— iz 🪽🍀 TASTE D-DAY (@doyoiz) September 8, 2025
The way hybe is buying like is funny like the retweet’s and the like doesn’t match https://t.co/oQsEOjwqbQ
— 🖤💗💜 (@just_jade_05) September 8, 2025
Netizens believe that HYBE groups are unecessarily being hated on due to the company.
