Newjeans‘((Njz) The parents shared a new declaration that detonates the best musical organizations in Korea e Hyuk Bangtargeting the way they are aligning Hybe.
In a long statement issued through their shared Instagram account, Njz’s parents shared their response to a declaration made by five of the largest musical organizations in Korea and revealed Bang Si Hyuk involvement in an attempt to cancel their performance complex.
This morning we saw that five organizations: Korea Entertainment Management Association (KEMA), Korea Entertainment Producers Association (KEPA), Korea Music Label Industry Association (Liak), Korea Record Industry Association (Riak) and Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) – HA issued their declaration to the media.
Although he has full knowledge that neither the preliminary injunction nor the process have started, they are making declarations that undermine the objectivity of the process by presenting information not confirmed as facts. This is truly deplorable. As always, we ask for your understanding in advance that this could be a long message, since there are few channels that the artist can use to express their positions compared to companies that can freely use the main media and various associations.
1. The five organizations said that NJZ members are trying to resolve a private dispute involving public opinion and unilateral declarations rather than keeping negotiations or through legal procedures. However, we believe that the public will surely remember which side he started a media campaign, publicly spreading false accusations to remove the former Adr (Min Hee Jin) CEO, who was simply trying to face the main problems within Hybe. At the time, Hybe was intentionally created and closed to an eye to the plethora of articles relating to the accusations of “tampering” or “gas lighting” on Njz. We believe that everyone will also remember the frenzy of the media which started less than a week before their return. This is something that no company would only do a week before the return of their artists. We would like to ask where these musical organizations were and what they were doing at that moment.
2 However, we believe that the victims of this unilateral media coverage are the members of the NJZ, their fans and the public who loves music. The damage still continues today. In addition, the drop in the prices of Hybe’s actions and other damage is their problem, not the entire K-Pop sector. This confirms that these organizations represent the interests of a specific society while presenting themselves as an organization for everyone.
3. The five musical organizations say that unfounded accusations can be accepted as truth without an adequate verification of the facts, the possibility of refutation or criticism and therefore can take portals, online community and social media for a long time. This is the only section of their statement that is actually correct. Numerous false statements about NJZ members have taken on the online communities and even now the media publish articles that reflect Hybe’s interests. At the same time, the channels of computer demolition are spreading their opinions as if they were experts. It is excruciating to see how the celebrities themselves cannot stop or defend themselves. We believe that this is lethargy regarding these musical organizations that many have involved in the entertainment sector, artists, trainees and their families.
4 They argued that if these contracts could be broken unilaterally, the entire basis of the K-pop sector would have collapsed. However, we believe that this statement is misleading and it is only to deceive the public. From the point of view of the family, as people who looked at their children since they were all minor and trainees, we must emphasize that there has never been an organization or a place for trainees and artists to express their complaints and look for protection when they face mistreatment or the company violates the contract. These people have no choice but to rely exclusively on the morality of the company and therefore are in a situation in which their fundamental rights are not protected. From the point of view of the members, it is contradictory for these organizations to take sides and discuss the potential instability of the sector when they actually support the company’s profits. The members collected the courage to speak and take legal actions despite the difficult situation. We urge organizations to reflect on their inconsistencies.
5 In fact, as we have seen in the situation relating to the Dolphiners films, they even came to try to break down the base of Newjeans’ career, their content. As a result, NJZ has no other choice than to close their contracts as they could no longer bear what was happening to them. Legally, the termination of the contract immediately enters, which means that their contracts with Ador no longer exist. Therefore, the members were no longer intended for Ador and were free to pursue their activities. This is a simple principle of the legal system of Korea. The fact that Hybe and Ador are now pushing for the legislative amendments precisely before the process clearly shows how unreasonable they are not convincing their statements. The declaration shared by the five organizations today also raises the concern that they are not only trying to excessively limit the individual rights of the artists, but are also trying to find a way to impose an invisible form of legalized violence. Their statements make it seem that the entire K-Pop industry would collapse if the contracts were not applied as slave contracts.
The fundamental question of this dispute is between an agency that has mistreated his artist and the artist himself. It does not have an impact on the entire K-pop sector. In fact, we believe that the courage of members can create a new precedent for a healthier sector full of a more diversified range of artists. It is with great regret that these organizations frame initial investments as a form of debt and take a unilateral position on this issue. Trainees have dedicated their youth and life to the life of an artist. The concept of good faith is something that should apply to both parties in a contract, not just one. We hope that this situation will serve as an opportunity for young artists and internships, who should pass their brightest years by pursuing their dreams and fans to no longer feel the victim of exploitation while some people avoid their responsibilities to pursue staff interests.
6. While we were forming our answer, a journalist approached us with new information. The five organizations have not only released this statement. They are also planning a press conference for Thursday 27 February at the JW Marriott Hotel and inviting many journalists. We were told that lunch were even offered. Since lunch in the hotel costs at least ₩ 100,000 krw (about $ 69.40 USD) per person, we could not help wondering if journalists would have been able to participate without violating the Kim Young Ran Act [an anti-bribery law that states public officials such as journalists cannot accept gifts worth over ₩50,000 KRW (about $34.70 USD).] We ask ourselves even if such a bold attempt to try to influence the media is even possible. These five organizations have not simply released their declaration in the morning, but also again with the same identical contained at 13:00. What is the point of sending the same statement twice in a day without changes? Isn’t it just media manipulation? We respectfully ask that these five organizations stop trying to influence public opinion by representing the interests of a particular company, which they have affirmed through their statements. For the sustainable growth of the K-pop industry, it is essential to correct the errors made by agencies that see their artists exclusively as gain tools. This is a problem that should be solved through legal procedures.
7. Not long ago, we heard from a complex official who had witnessed the preparations of the concert that Bang Si Hyuk of Hybe personally called his contacts in the sector to press the NJz’s appearance during the event. Would it be too much sudden to connect today’s declaration? We find it incredibly exasperating and angry. He made us understand how Hybe continues to see Njz as money producers rather than supporting and celebrating their successes. They focus on blocking them and destroying them instead. Since then, we have been told that Ador has also worked to interfere with Njz. Bang Si Hyuk, in April 2024, we sent you a -mail and we requested an answer. Until today, you have not answered. If you have so much to say, why not talk to us instead with other people? We also cannot understand why the president of Hybe is stopping directly in a dispute that presumably involves only Ador. Can we really believe you when they argue that Ador and Hybe are separate entities?
NJz should perform at Complexcon in Hong Kong. They are excited to finally show themselves in a new light for their fans after leaving the environment created by Hybe and Ador. Despite the multiple attempts to stop them, their services will proceed as expected, so we kindly ask for your continuous support.
Thank you for spending time to read this long message and, as always, we sincerely apologize for the concern caused. We wish everyone a hot day.
