Deepshikha Maan, Jadetimes Staff
D. Maan is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Entertainment
K-pop Star Testifies on Workplace Harassment Before South Korean Lawmakers
Hanni, a member of the popular K-pop group NewJeans, delivered an emotional testimony to South Korean lawmakers as part of an investigation into workplace harassment. The 20 year old singer shared her experiences of alleged mistreatment by senior management at Hybe, the entertainment agency representing her group.
Accusations Against Hybe Management
Hanni claimed that Hybe had actively undermined NewJeans and that senior managers consistently ignored her concerns. She expressed that, after multiple incidents, she became convinced that the company was deliberately treating her band with hostility. "I was honestly convinced that the company hated us," she stated during her testimony.
Following her testimony, the CEO of Ador, a Hybe subsidiary and NewJeans' record label, expressed regret, saying she would "listen more closely" to the artists and questioned whether more could have been done to address the situation.
Incidents of Workplace Harassment
During the session, Hanni recalled an incident where she greeted members of another band at the record label offices, only to be told by their manager to "ignore her." Despite reporting this issue, her concerns were dismissed, adding to her frustration. She elaborated on the situation, detailing how she was waiting in a hallway when the other band members passed by. The manager's instruction to disregard her, she explained, left her feeling disrespected.
Hanni also mentioned several encounters with high ranking Hybe officials who repeatedly ignored her attempts at greetings, further solidifying her perception of being mistreated within the company.
Social Media and Public Relations Manipulation
The singer also alleged that she had witnessed employees bad mouthing NewJeans on internal communication platforms like Blind. Additionally, she claimed Hybe's PR department had attempted to downplay the band’s achievements by contacting a journalist to revise an article on their record sales. These actions reinforced Hanni’s belief that the company had a negative bias against the group.
Response from Ador’s CEO
Ador's CEO, Kim Joo young, testified alongside Hanni, acknowledging that while she believed the singer’s story, she was unable to find concrete evidence to support the claims. Kim explained that CCTV footage of the incident involving the other band’s manager had expired before she could obtain it.
Kim also expressed personal regret, stating, “I believe I did everything I could, but seeing that Hanni felt this way, I wonder if there was more I could have done.” She added that she would cooperate with the Ministry of Labour’s investigation into the matter.
Impact on NewJeans and the K-pop Industry
The internal conflict has captivated South Korean media and K-pop fans, as NewJeans has quickly risen to prominence with hits like "Super Shy" and "OMG." Despite the behind the scenes turmoil, the group has continued to perform, largely due to their seven-year contract with Hybe, which extends until 2029.
Hanni concluded her testimony with tears, expressing her frustration at how the situation had overshadowed her career and the group’s success. "The ones who should be apologizing are avoiding responsibility, and that frustrates me," she said, reflecting the emotional toll the situation has taken on her and her fellow band members.
