Newjeans’ Hanni Chosen for National Assembly Audit as Workplace Harassment Inquiry Representative During HYBE and ADOR Dispute

On Monday, September 30, NewJeans’ Hanni was appointed by The National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee to participate in next month’s audit addressing workplace harassment within the K-pop idol industry. The idol will serve as a reference person regarding the issue of workplace harassment.

The committee conducted a general meeting on September 30, where they voted to call upon approximately 35 individuals for the audit, including NewJeans’ Hanni.

The audit is set to occur on October 25. Kim Ju-young, the current CEO of ADOR, is also anticipated to appear at the audit as a witness. This development followed NewJeans’ recent livestream, during which they voiced their concerns and dissatisfaction with ADOR’s new management.

On September 11, the NewJeans members hosted a livestream via a newly created YouTube channel, revealing their discontent with the current CEO and the management structure of ADOR. During the livestream, Hanni specifically shared an experience regarding mistreatment by HYBE staff members.

Her remarks suggested that she had faced disrespect and neglect from both ADOR and HYBE personnel. Consequently, the National Assembly is reportedly intending to investigate allegations of bullying and harassment prevalent in the K-pop idol industry during the upcoming audit set for October 25.

Moreover, Kim Ju-young is expected to address her responses to Hanni’s concerns about the bullying experienced from fans of HYBE staff members. Nevertheless, Hanni is not obliged to testify at the audit.

However, Kim Ju-young, as a witness, is mandated to be present at the audit. Should she fail to attend without a legitimate reason, she may face legal repercussions or be compelled to attend in accordance with the Act on Testimony and Appraisal Before the National Assembly.

Everything You Need to Know About NewJeans’ Livestream and Hanni’s Confession on ADOR Management

On September 11, NewJeans members initiated a livestream on a new YouTube channel, which was later deleted. During this unsanctioned livestream, the members expressed their dissatisfaction with the new CEO and the treatment they received from HYBE staff members.

As of August 27, Min Hee-jin was ousted as ADOR’s CEO, making way for Kim Ju-young, the head of HR at HYBE. Furthermore, the separation of ADOR’s production and management sectors has created a divide between NewJeans and Min Hee-jin, who continues to serve as an internal director at ADOR.

Subsequently, NewJeans articulated that this separation was proving ineffective. They also called for the reinstatement of Min Hee-jin as CEO, following Hanni’s account of her experience at HYBE.

Hanni shared an incident that occurred while she was on the fourth floor of the HYBE building, where K-pop artists usually receive hair and makeup services. While waiting, she saw a manager from a HYBE group and several staff members. They exchanged greetings as they entered the building.

However, when Hanni greeted the manager and staff on their way out, the manager allegedly instructed the staff to disregard her. Hanni expressed that the incident was hurtful and left her feeling bewildered. Upon sharing this experience with ADOR’s new CEO, Kim Ju-young, she felt ignored and labeled as untruthful.

Hanni stated:

“When I saw that she was trying to move on from that matter, I realized that the person who protected us is gone. I realized that we have no higher-ups that care about us anymore. I told her honestly, but she made me feel like a liar.”

As a result, NewJeans urged HYBE Labels to restore the previous structure of ADOR’s management. They set a deadline of September 30 for this request to be met. However, on September 25, ADOR publicly rejected NewJeans’ demands.

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