In brief
Hanni, a member of the popular K-pop group NewJeans, testified before South Korean lawmakers regarding workplace harassment by their agency, Hybe. Addressing the Labour Committee, she detailed incidents of emotional neglect and disrespect, claiming her band was deliberately undermined by senior management. Despite denials, this has sparked significant media and public attention, highlighting issues of power dynamics within the K-pop industry.
K-pop star Hanni from NewJeans, aged 20, gave an emotional testimony to South Korea's National Assembly, alleging that Hybe, the agency behind their success, intentionally sabotaged the band. This disclosure came as part of an official inquiry into workplace harassment to which she was summoned after the group made allegations about their treatment public following their mentor, Min Hee-Jin's dismissal.Hanni's testimony included anecdotes such as being disregarded by management and witnessing disrespect from other band employees. She accused Hybe's PR of attempting to downplay the band's achievements and revealed personal experiences of being ignored and disrespected. Her allegations pointed to a pervasive culture of mistreatment that she said left her feeling that the company held animosity towards them.The situation escalated when Hybe's subsidiary, Ador's CEO, Kim Joo-young, was forced to testify. While admitting to the possibility of oversight, he expressed regret for his inability to prevent the situation, revealing that key evidence was lost due to expired CCTV footage. Despite claiming there was no deliberate campaign against NewJeans, the situation signifies the scrutinizing lens fans and media are applying to the entertainment industry.Unwavering in their pursuit of artistic success, NewJeans remain committed to their seven-year contract, set to expire in 2029. However, as one of the top-selling bands globally with nominations at the MTV Awards, they are compelled to carry forward amid this turmoil, expressing frustration that internal conflicts have detracted from their career trajectory.
