Block B member Zico revealed how HYBE acquired the entertainment company he founded in 2019, .
Zico appeared on the 286th episode of MBC's 'Point of Omniscient Interference,' which aired on February 17, where he shared a glimpse of his varied daily life.
On this day, Zico took fans through his ordinary day, walking into HYBE as one of the head producers leading KOZ Entertainment under HYBE. Zico started the day by taking a taxi to the company and entering the building after scanning his face.
The hosts became curious and asked how Zico was able to be employed at HYBE, and he explained how KOZ Entertainment was acquired by HYBE. Zico explained that around two years after he established KOZ Entertainment, HYBE Chairman Bang Si Hyuk reached out to Zico about possibly acquiring KOZ Entertainment.
Zico shared, "It was about 2 years after I established KOZ, at that time, I received contact from chairman Bang Si Hyuk. He said he wanted to meet me to talk. At that time he asked me what I wanted to do and why I established the label. So, I explained to him all my plans. After hearing me out, he told me that I have sufficient talent as a creator (producer) but operating a label can be a completely different field of expertise. So he suggested that I go under the big system of HYBE and create a good synergy and suggested that we work together."
The hosts became curious whether Zico was paid a salary, and he coolly revealed that he was paid a salary as a head producer. In this episode, Zico gave a simple tour of the HYBE building and showed where he would have meetings with fellow employees about KOZ's BOYNEXTDOOR.
Zico also took the time to share his apology to his fellow artists for making the dance challenges go viral in South Korea.
Previously, when Zico released the song "Any Song" in 2020, he promoted it by performing the choreography with other singers, which garnered significant popularity. Reflecting on this, Zico expressed, "I've been feeling that a lot of people resent me because the dance challenge seems to have become an obligation."
Zico elaborated, "Originally, during breaks, singers should rest or practice in the waiting room. However, these days, (due to the dance challenge), during that time, colleagues meet and must learn each other's choreography." He then added, "I want to take this opportunity to offer some heartfelt apology to those affected by this."