Stray Kids’ Felix Linked To HYBE After Unexpected Move Sparks Massive Fears

The President of HYBE x Geffen Records at HYBE America has drawn attention after following Stray Kids’ Felix on Instagram.

| @yong.lixx/Instagram

Mitra Darab, a longtime music executive and current President of the HYBE x Geffen joint venture under HYBE America, recently followed Felix’s public account.

With Felix being a member of a JYP Entertainment group — one of HYBE’s direct competitors in the K-pop industry — the sudden move has instantly gone viral.

| @straykids/X (formerly known as Twitter)

Many fans questioned why a top executive from a rival company would openly follow an idol from another label.

…this is really weird…because why would you follow a artist from a direct rival in open?? https://t.co/oeeu1hz9XN

— 💅💙💙barbielix💙💙 (@evalinedare28) March 2, 2026

This is k!ll!ng me 😭😭 Fork found in the kitchen I mean they’re trying so hard to make Felix 2.0 wbk https://t.co/2mq098lMwY

— Belle (@villedeseoul) March 2, 2026

Some even linked the move to NewJeans former member Danielle, who was also suspiciously followed by HYBE staff after the fallout with ADOR.

Reminder that people from scooter team & Hybe's people followed NJZ and Danielle on their private IG accounts to start media playing on them. So, good luck to felix. https://t.co/StMPR3Hq6b

— Positive Tokki (@bluejeanznj) March 2, 2026

Others urged Felix to keep his distance, while a number of fans even made jokes about blocking the executive on his behalf.

https://t.co/GLbmwmaZpx pic.twitter.com/WI9x10yI9r

— m ♡ (@yongboooked) March 2, 2026

stay the fck away from my boys rn https://t.co/S7PjDrrTL4

— 🌑 𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢 ☾⋆｡ ๋࣭ ⭑˚ (@namchanhyung) March 2, 2026

*googles how to block someone on someone else’s insta account* https://t.co/Kuue4Owgfm pic.twitter.com/hm4DzT90WP

— 💗𝔽𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕟_𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕃𝕚𝕩_𝕊𝕂ℤ 💗 (@fallen_skz) March 2, 2026

Darab is a 25-year industry veteran who previously held leadership roles at Geffen Records, Warner Bros. Records, and Capitol Music Group. In 2024, she was named to Billboard’s “Women in Music” list. As of August 2026, she leads the HYBE x Geffen joint venture.

While the follow may be harmless, the unexpected interaction has fueled intense debate among fans.

Stray Kids