As NewJeans declared all-out war on its parent company HYBE, Hanni said she was discriminated against by other artists and staff.
On September 11, the quintet surprised the K-pop industry after finally speaking openly about their recent situation amid the escalating HYBE-ADOR conflict.
On a now-deleted YouTube channel, the members held a 30-minute live broadcast to denounce president Bang Si Hyuk, co-artists, and staff, as well as reveal the mistreatment they faced as a result of the controversy.
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Of course, NewJeans expressed their full support for former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin and called on HYBE to restore the original sub-label system. The members also spoke about what they went through when isolation from other artists began to take its toll while the case was ongoing.
Hanni in particular shared a sad anecdote with a certain HYBE group and managers who had purposely decided to avoid NewJeans. He said:
“On the 4th floor of the HYBE building, there is a hair and makeup room. I was waiting alone in the hallway when other team members and a manager came by. We said hello, but when they came back, the manager told them to ignore me. Right in front of me. I could hear and see everything, but their managers told them, “Ignore her.” To this day, I don’t understand why I had to go through all this. I think it’s ridiculous.”
Hanni from NewJeans during their live stream:
— “There is a hair/makeup room on the 4th floor of the HYBE building. One day, a group and their manager came by and we said hello. They came back and I heard their manager say “ignore her.” photo.twitter.com/spjewiww84
— Kpop Charts (@kchartsmaster) September 11, 2024
READ ALSO: Min Hee Jin Reveals That NewJeans Members Called Her While She Was Crying During HYBE Feud
Team leader Minji was perplexed after hearing Hanni’s story and added:
“I was speechless when I heard the story that Hanni went through. How can a manager of a team go and tell a member of that team to ignore Hanni?
She has been through something unimaginable, and they have not even apologized or admitted their wrongs. I fear that similar things will happen again and that there will be no one to protect her. She will be ostracized.”
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When this specific part of the broadcast was shared on X, it got over 10 million views and thousands of comments from netting players.
But, in a twist of fate, Hanni did not gain sympathy from K-pop fans, instead she faced backlash, receiving comments about how she deserved to be treated that way.
Based on the comments, various fandoms were disappointed that NewJeans supported Min Hee Jin, who initially teamed up with Bang Si Hyuk to take down NewJeans’ rivals like aespa.
Min was also the one who accused ILLIT of being copycats of the group, and also took aim at LE SSERAFIM for debuting before NewJeans.
Here are some comments:
You actually deserve worse treatment… siding with a pedophile who attacks all Hybe idols and then expecting a good return from them WHAT?
— 💋☀️ (@SICKTEAR7) September 11, 2024
Newjeans attacks other Idols again, acting like their cult mama. Like mother, like daughter. https://t.co/xcPChIxxiK photo.twitter.com/eIVbsajfEY
— Sniper21 (@Sniper71232) September 11, 2024
Your parents, your team, your precious MHJ have been harassing other idols for months nonstop and you had the audacity to laugh it off and act like everything was fine and now you’re surprised when they don’t want to talk to you anymore??? That’s a giveaway https://t.co/ntvECqWYYU photo.twitter.com/9Rq52Bjt5d
– ⟭⟬⁷ (@smilehoya97) September 11, 2024
It’s so funny because she was supporting the humiliation that MHJ was causing to a group that wasn’t even 3 weeks after their debut, I can’t feel sorry for you because you didn’t feel sorry for the girls who were just starting their careers https://t.co/NHC4OFt73k photo.twitter.com/NpxIoaORMZ
— mipi 🐣 (@_97959492) September 11, 2024
I’m sorry, but I’m on that manager’s side.
newjeans has expressed strong support for a pedophile, a South African accomplice and a woman who has brought mass hatred to other groups.
I would tell anyone to ignore your cocky ass https://t.co/aLIYYcPkWU
— jjunie darling (@BluSpri) September 11, 2024
RELATED ARTICLE: NewJeans’ Minji Vents Frustration During ADOR/HYBE Conflict: “Why Do We Have to Suffer?”
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Written by Eunice Dela Cruz