The two sides have already spoken up. ADOR finally released a statement to counter NewJeans manager for the workplace bullying controversy and accusation. Now that we have listened to both sides of the story, is this allegation really strong enough to be considered as bullying? Or was it simply a consequence of an employee’s misconduct? Join our discussion below and let us know what you think of the issue.
The Kpop industry had already been shaken enough by the contract termination dispute between NewJeans and ADOR. Yet, the case keeps on snowballing with more and more issues.
On December 10, Korean media outlet Channel A exclusively reported a bullying accusation from NewJeans manager against the company, ADOR. According to the report, NewJeans manager highlighted 3 main issues that they believed to be workplace bullying.
“They got me to think we were having a business discussion. But then, suddenly, they forced a standby notice and demanded that I bring my laptop back from home right away. Although I asked to leave work, they illegally kept me there for about 3 hours until I returned the laptop. (This violates Article 7 of the Labor Standards Act and counts as workplace bullying.)
They forced me to hand over my personal cell phone without any legal reason. (This is also workplace bullying.)
I backed up all my work-related data to the company drive and only had personal stuff left on my laptop. Even though I wiped the laptop clean, they launched an investigation, claiming they could use it against me for disciplinary action just because I wiped it. (Again, workplace bullying.)”
What Really Happened?
However, immediately after the news hit the internet and social media, ADOR released an official statement to refute the accusation.
According to ADOR, everything started when the NewJeans manager bypassed the company’s procedure for NewJeans members. In the name of NewJeans members, the manager personally approached an advertiser and pushed a direct contract without involving the agency. By doing so, the manager of NewJeans breached the exclusive agreement between the company and the artist.
ADOR CEO Kim Ju Young. | Donga
Internal Investigation: Workplace Bullying?
What NewJeans manager believed to be a “workplace bullying” controversy started when ADOR launched an internal investigation. The company repeatedly asked them to explain their actions. However, according to ADOR, the manager gave them a false testimony. Not only that, but they also refused to cooperate amicably.
Therefore, ADOR had no choice but to place the manager on standby. It means that they must also return all properties belonging to the company, including the laptop.
“Recently, an artist manager reached out directly to an advertiser, bypassing the company, and tried to set up a direct contract between the artist and the brand. The manager has admitted to this. This action seriously violates company policy, undermining the artist’s exclusive contract with us.
ADOR immediately launched an investigation and gave the manager plenty of chances to explain their actions. However, the manager didn’t cooperate and made false statements that didn’t match the clear evidence. There was no unlawful confinement or coercion during the process.
We made multiple requests to meet with the manager to give them a chance to explain, but all requests were turned down.”
ADOR.
Shockingly, ADOR found out that NewJeans manager then submitted their laptop after wiping it in a way that made it impossible to recover any data. Hence, the company then became suspicious. ADOR believed NewJeans manager was trying to hide the information they had deleted from the laptop.
“The manager finally submitted the laptop hours after being asked, but only after getting it from someone else and wiping it clean, making the data impossible to recover. Because of this, we can’t verify what data was deleted during the process.
We will conduct a full investigation and take appropriate legal action.”
NewJeans and Kim Ju Young. | Multiple Sources
ADOR.
More Details on Alleged Bullying Controversy
And yet, NewJeans manager denied ADOR’s accusation on December 11. In the additional statement, the manager denied ADOR’s accusation, saying they were only helping NewJeans.
“After NewJeans decided to end their contract, they asked me to pass along their wishes to the advertisers for ongoing campaigns since they couldn’t reach out directly. I was just acting on their behalf with their approval—there was no wrongdoing. But ADOR has twisted things around to make it look like I did something wrong.
Just because there’s tension between the company and the members doesn’t mean a manager’s job goes away. I stayed focused on the schedule and kept encouraging the rest of the team to do the same. When external vendors asked where to send payments, I made it clear it should go through ADOR. So, being accused of misconduct and dishonesty is honestly really frustrating.”
NewJeans’ manager.
ADOR vs NewJeans Manager: Mistreatment VS Misconduct?
Based on both sides of the statements, the bullying controversy from NewJeans manager becomes a gray area. Was it really a mistreatment that the manager faced? Or was it simply a consequence and a risk that they had to deal with because of their own decision?
After all, even when NewJeans has now left ADOR, the dispute is far from over. Therefore, no ADOR employee is allowed to make a move on behalf of NewJeans before the controversy ends.
But what do you think about this issue? Does ADOR have the right to impose such disciplinary action against NewJeans manager, or was it purely workplace bullying?
A travel addict at heart, Jae finds inspiration and guidance in Korean dramas as he explores new destinations. Embracing the cultural phenomenon, Jae also immerses himself in the enchanting world of Korean pop music, adding a melodic soundtrack to their adventurous journeys.
