What do you think of my theory?

Reason why BTS might renew with HYBE is HYBE may have some dirt on them and can effect their career. Dispatch might release all the dirtiest stuff they've collected in recent years if the rumor about HYBE pays Dispatch to never release anything bad about BTS is true. We all know how the industry works and how dirty it can be if they do not get what they want.

lol Kpop fans should be rebranded to conspiracy theorists

how sad that you would think this way.

I mean even if they know things about BTS revealing it because they leave the agency might hurt them on the long run because trainees and artist would be scared to work in that kind of environment and might consider other labels (see how many people are leaving PNation). I mean HYBE is probably shady in certain aspects but hopefully not to this point, especially because they already know how a scandal with blackmailing can affect your image (of course they're much more powerful now but still...)

People make conspiracies out of everything these days.

I think that's what was behind their first renewal. Not that they wanted to leave but for a group that had reached huge levels of success even at that point their renewal looked unfavorable to them.

Taehyung was not crying so hard because he loved his fans, though that was all they needed to hear to make them happy. That kind of crying comes from deep negative emotion whether guilt or fear or pain. And he wasn't being comforted as much as you would expect for someone crying so distraught. One quick hug onstage but once they got backstage he was still crying and he was on his own. So that makes me guess maybe the main thing the company had was on him.

And it must be easier for companies to get something on male group members. If nothing else there is the room salon culture for senior men and their juniors. I expect it's probably way too easy for a male idol to do something while drunk that is then saved by the company until they need some leverage.