With the recent shocking revelation, the South Korean government has now summoned NewJeans Hanni and new ADOR CEO Kim Ju Young for the recent workplace drama controversy within HYBE. So, what does it mean, and will the case be truly under an official investigation? Join us in the discussion below.
NewJeans Hanni & New ADOR CEO Kim Ju Young Officially Summoned for HYBE Workplace Drama Controversy
The alleged workplace drama controversy happening between NewJeans and new management of HYBE subsidiary label, ADOR, has resulted an official public summon from the Korean national assembly.
On September 30, one of South Korean government bodies, the Environment and Labor Committee of the National Assembly officially summoned NewJeans Hanni and new ADOR CEO Kim Ju Young to attend the upcoming National Assembly audit. This summon aims to call NewJeans Hanni and ADOR CEO Kim Ju Young as references regarding the recent revelation of workplace drama controversy within HYBE.
According to multiple reports, the Environment and Labor Committee of the National Assembly plans on question NewJeans Hanni on her latest statement of workplace harassment and mistreatment controversy. Through this summon, NewJeans Hanni will speak at the assembly to testify as a witness at the state audit on October 25.
At the same time, the committee will also summon HYBE—appointed ADOR CEO Kim Ju Young at the assembly. For Kim Ju Young, the committee plans to ask why she did not responded seriously on the workplace harassment drama and mistreatment controversy involving NewJeans Hanni.
Hanni’s Shocking Revelation of Office Bullying
Previously, NewJeans Hanni disclosed a shocking revelation of office bullying amid the drama controversy with parent label HYBE. At the same emergency broadcast through a now-deleted YouTube channel that triggered support from BTS Jungkook, NewJeans Hanni revealed unexpected workplace bullying drama she received within the new HYBE ADOR management.
“Something happened to me recently.
The 4th floor of the HYBE building is where we get our hair and makeup done, so a lot of other artists and staff come and go there.
One day, I was waiting alone in the hallway, and some staff from another team passed by. We greeted each other, but when they came back out a bit later, I heard one of their managers say, “Ignore her,” right in front of me.
I could hear and see everything clearly but the manager intentionally said ‘Ignore her.’ Even now, I still don’t understand why I had to go through that.”
NewJeans Hanni.
Following Hanni’s statement, a Korean media outlet Market Insight by Hankyung News provided more answers to this NewJeans workplace drama controversy with HYBE. According to the Korean media, the one who harassed Hanni was one of the managers from HYBE’s latest girl group and NewJeans’s alleged copycat, ILLIT.
“The incident that ultimately shattered the trust between NewJeans and HYBE was the so-called ‘greetings controversy’ involving a manager from HYBE’s girl group, ILLIT.
This occurred about three months earlier, around June, shortly after Min Heejin had won a legal dispute against HYBE.
During a live stream on September 11, NewJeans Hanni explained that ‘a manager of another HYBE artist group told their members to ignore her.’
It appears she was referring to ILLIT’s manager.”
Market Insight by Hankyung News
Will This Office Bullying Face an Official Investigation?
Finally, with the national assembly summoning NewJeans Hanni to speak regarding this workplace bullying drama within HYBE, will the case eventually face an official investigation?
After all, although they have been summoned as witnesses and references, both Hanni and Kim Ju Young attendance is not mandatory. However, that is of course, if both parties provide a ‘valid reason’ along with a written statement justifying their absence.
However, fans are responding to this summons with mixed reactions. While some are hoping for well-deserved justice for this HYBE workplace bullying controversy, others are complaining why NewJeans Hanni must go through this audit. The public believe that the HYBE manager was supposed to face the official summons.
Comments from Korean Netizens
- “They’re just using Hanni’s fame. Why call her? They should be calling the manager instead.”
- “This company is honestly the worst in K-pop history, lol. Why are they summoning Hanni? Get the manager and investigate them.”
- “Ah, Hanni, stay strong!”
- “Now we’re seeing active idols getting called in for the National Assembly audit.”
- “No matter what she decides, whether she goes or not, I’ll support her.”
- “It’s optional, she doesn’t have to attend if she doesn’t want to.”
- “If she goes, I hope she says everything she needs to and comes back strong! Hanni, fighting!”
- “Hanni came to Korea because she loves singing and wanted to follow her dreams. Why does she have to deal with this?”
- “My heart breaks for her. She came to Korea at such a young age, and now she’s going through this…”
- “Sigh, these kids are dealing with so much right now.”
- “Hanni, in Korea? Stay strong and keep fighting!”
- “This is insane… What are these kids being put through?”
- “She came to Korea and has been dealing with so many challenges…”
- “I don’t think it’s mandatory.”
- “The report says she can submit an absence letter, so it’s not mandatory.”
- “Hwaiting!”
- “Hanni can choose whether to attend, but CEO Kim definitely has to go.”
- “I wish she didn’t have to go. I’m worried it’ll be hard for her. But if she chooses to attend, I’ll support her!”
- “Ah, so Hanni might not need to attend after all.”
- “I hope this leads to better human rights for idols.”
- “NewJeans, fighting! I hope they come out on top!”
Meanwhile, here’s the complete YouTube broadcast from NewJeans regarding HYBE drama controversy.
"What NewJeans Wanted to Say"
— 1tokki (@juantokki) September 11, 2024
[Full transcript translated to English]
🐹: Some of you might be surprised by this sudden meeting, but we wanted to share our thoughts and opinions about the recent events, so we prepared this session. First, I want to explain one of the reasons we… pic.twitter.com/lGYabSD1fg
Source: Edaily, Hankyung, TheQoo.
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