The controversy surrounding NewJeans and ADOR under HYBE seems far from over. While the dispute remains unresolved, NewJeans (also known as Jeanz) member Hanni Pham is now facing additional challenges regarding her visa and residency status in South Korea. Yet, what really happened exactly to this visa issue surrounding NewJeans Hanni? Let’s break it down in a simple explanation below.
NewJeans Hanni Faces an Unexpected Visa Issue
It has been only a month since the 4th generation K-pop group NewJeans announced their contract termination from ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE, and received significant criticism and backlash from the industry. Despite this, the group made a bold move by creating their own Instagram account, hinting at a possible new name, Jeanz, and receiving considerable support from fans.
Unfortunately, amid all the support and rising tension, a legal and logistical hurdle emerged for Hanni, one of the key members of NewJeans. This issue was reportedly crucial because it involved the status of NewJeans Hanni visa and residency in South Korea, especially now that she has declared independence.
NewJeans (or Jeanz) Hanni Visa Issue: What Really Happened?
Before we start, you should know that there are two NewJeans members holding dual citizenship today: Danielle and Hanni. However, Danielle holds both Australian and Korean citizenship, so there’s no issue with her staying in South Korea.
The problem lies in Hanni Pham, who holds dual citizenship in Australia and Vietnam. Since NewJeans Hanni has no South Korean nationality, her current stay in the country becomes an issue as it depends on a specific type of visa: the E-6 visa (Entertainment and Arts).
- The E-6 visa allows foreign entertainers to work in South Korea but is tied to employment under a registered agency.
- This means the visa requires an exclusive contract with an agency, which must sponsor and validate the entertainer’s stay.
- This type of visa is usually valid for 1 year. Afterward, it’s the company’s responsibility to renew the visa for their foreign employee.
And here’s why NewJeans Hanni is now facing a visa issue.
Previously, NewJeans members held a press conference, announcing that by November 29, the group was no longer under exclusive contract with ADOR. If Hanni’s contract termination claim is valid, her visa—issued through ADOR—would automatically lose its legal effect.
According to South Korea’s Immigration Control Act, if a foreign resident’s employment contract ends, they must either leave the country or apply for a change of residence status within 15 days. This means that by December 13, NewJeans Hanni must have already applied for a new visa; otherwise, her stay in South Korea will become an issue.
Why? Because without a visa, Hanni is technically an illegal resident.
The Dilemma Surrounding NewJeans (or Jeanz) Hanni Visa Issue
As Hanni is now facing the visa issue, it has created an unbelievable situation for her and NewJeans.
On December 20, ADOR released a public statement announcing that the contract between NewJeans and the company is still valid. Therefore, the company is preparing to renew Hanni’s visa.
“ADOR’s exclusive contract with NewJeans remains valid. That is why we are currently preparing the necessary documents to renew Hanni’s visa.”
ADOR.
According to several reports, Hanni’s visa will expire in early 2025. That is why the company must begin preparation for a renewal, as it usually takes some time to process.
And this is where the dilemma starts.
If Hanni accepts the visa issued under ADOR, it means she indirectly acknowledges that her contract with the agency is still valid. Therefore, she would also diminish all the recent commotion regarding the NewJeans contract termination declaration.
On the other hand, if NewJeans Hanni insists that she had already left ADOR on November 29, it means she is now facing a visa expiration issue. That way, she has now become an illegal resident under South Korean law.
What makes it even more appalling is that this E-6 visa cannot easily be transferred to another agency without approval from the current sponsor. And since ADOR maintains its claim that the contract is active, it is almost impossible for ADOR to provide the consent needed for a visa transfer.
Moreover, E-6 visa basically ties an artist to the agency that sponsors them. That way, Hanni can only proceed with her entertainment work under ADOR. If she were to do solo activities or work with another agency while using an ADOR-issued visa, it would legally become a violation.
So, Is There a Solution?
If NewJeans Hanni maintains her contract termination position with ADOR, she must personally renew her E-6 visa. However, it typically takes months and requires complicated documents, including legal transfer consent from ADOR. As mentioned above, it was basically impossible.
Meanwhile, there’s speculation that NewJeans members are considering establishing a “family-owned company” to serve as their new agency. This would allow them to sponsor their own visas and regain control over their careers.
However, setting up such an entity and meeting the legal requirements will take time that Hanni may not have as her visa expiration draws closer.
If her visa remains an issue, NewJeans Hanni can no longer stay in South Korea. It would force the group to promote with 4 members, complicating their plans for independence.
The Struggles of Foreign Kpop Idols Behind the Spotlight
At the same time, this visa issue of NewJeans Hanni has really shed some light on how tricky things can get for foreign idols in the Kpop industry. And that is especially concerning when their residency status depends so much on their agency contracts.
With NewJeans trying to carve out a new path, Hanni’s struggles with legal and immigration hurdles are a reminder of just how messy things can get when issues between personal, professional, and legal matters get mixed up.
For now, the future of NewJeans—and Hanni’s career in Korea—feels pretty uncertain. How this whole situation plays out could really end up shaping the group’s next big chapter.
Finally, let’s just hope that a quick and positive resolution will emerge so NewJeans can get back on track very soon.
Meanwhile, let’s enjoy NewJeans latest performance at KBS Music Bank Global Festival 2024.
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Source: TenAsia (1) (2), Xports News.
