On November 20, the Seoul Western District Labor and Employment Bureau announced that it had settled the complaint filed by NewJeans fans regarding Hanni’s alleged workplace harassment. The investigation established this “Hanni does not qualify to be a worker under the Labor Standards Act,” thus closing the case administratively.
The issue arose in September when Hanni, during a YouTube live stream with other members, said she greeted a passing celebrity and manager in the HYBE hallway, only to be instructed to “ignore her” by the manager. Fans subsequently called for a thorough investigation into the alleged bullying within HYBE.
However, the labor office determined that the management contract between Hanni and ADOR did not establish a typical employer-employee relationship, citing a 2019 court decision that identified exclusive contracts with artists as de jure agreements civil rather than employment contracts. As a result, Hanni’s case did not meet the legal criteria for workplace harassment under section 76-2 of the Labor Standards Act.
Later that same day, Min Hee-jin announced her resignation as ADOR’s internal director. In a statement, he explained, “I resign from the position of director of ADOR and terminate the shareholders’ agreement with HYBE. I intend to hold HYBE legally accountable for violations of the agreement and will pursue necessary legal action against their numerous illegal activities.”
Min Hee-jin also cited his efforts to resolve conflicts with HYBE over the past 7 months, initiated by what he described as “illegal audits” in April. He concluded, “Despite my efforts to restore ADOR, HYBE has shown no willingness to acknowledge its flaws or change its behavior. I have decided that further effort is a waste of time.
He added harsh criticism to HYBE, “The atrocities committed by HYBE in 2024 will be remembered as unprecedented in the history of K-pop. Their moral negligence has reached its peak, and as their media manipulation tactics continue, I believe the public has grown wise to their schemes.”
Min Hee-jin concluded her statement by hinting at a new direction in her career, asking for continued support in her future K-pop endeavors, and expressing her dismay at the damage caused to the essence of the industry.
Meanwhile, members of NewJeans sent a formal letter to ADOR on November 13, requesting rectification of significant violations of their exclusivity contracts. The notice warned that if their demands were not met within 2 weeks, they would terminate their contracts.
Although ADOR has expressed a desire to resolve the matter amicably, members of NewJeans have shown signs of preparing for a potential departure. At the first Korea Grand Music Awards on November 16, Hanni noted: “We don’t know how long we’ll be NewJeans, but nothing can break the bond between us and our bunnies.” Danielle echoed this sentiment, “Even if we are no longer NewJeans, NewJeans will never die.”
With only a week left before the deadline and Min Hee-jin’s sudden resignation, all eyes are on how this rapidly evolving situation will develop. The result is eagerly awaited by K-pop fans around the world.
Source: Daum
