K-pop has long been known as a disciplined sector of the music industry – but a National Assembly review into workplace harassment has seen one of the genre’s biggest stars take a stand against bullying.
Hanni, one of the members of NewJeans, tearfully took the stand on Tuesday, October 15 before the Environment and Labor Committee of the South Korean National Assembly and discussed her experiences in the workplace.
“We are all human. I think a lot of people forget that,” Hanni said, according to a translation from Korea JoongAng Daily. “I understand that contracts for artists and interns may differ [from that of regular workers]but we are all human.”
The 20-year-old K-pop singer, who is of Vietnamese-Australian descent and born Phạm Ngọc Hân, is alleged to have mistreated the group by entertainment agency Hybe. “I realized that it wasn’t just a feeling. I was honestly convinced that the company hated us,” Hanni said.
Hanni from NewJeans in Seoul, South Korea on August 1, 2024.
Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty
Hanni claimed that this was not an isolated incident. “Since my debut [in NewJeans]many times we bumped into a person in a high position, but they never greeted me when I greeted them,” she testified. “Living in Korea made me realize that I have to be polite to older people and it’s part of the culture, but I think disrespecting human being not to greet us, regardless of our professional status.”
On September 11, NewJeans hosted a now-deleted YouTube live stream demanding that Min Hee-jin, the group’s creator, return as CEO of Hybe sub-label ADOR.
K-Pop Group NewJeans on Their Rapid Rise to Fame and Billboard Music Awards Nomination (Exclusive)
“It was hard to see many people who worked with us still suffer unfair demands and pressures even after our CEO was removed,” colleague Hyein said in the stream at the time. “It was frustrating just to stand and watch these situations unfold, and we were very worried about our future as a five-piece.”
Meanwhile on Tuesday, Hanni continued her testimony.
“I once met another idol member and their manager in a make-up shop where I often see other idol teams. I heard the manager loudly say ‘ignore her,’ and it shocked me,” she said.
“When I heard that they couldn’t do anything because there was no evidence, I felt like the people who could have protected us had left, and had no intention of protecting us. I immediately felt like a liar. Representative Min Hee-jin fought for us , but the people we have now don’t.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/hanni-new-jeans-101524-632d573fe7064f539087c4396f2e1e61.jpg)
NewJeans perform in Seoul, South Korea on May 21, 2024.
Han Myung-Gu/WireImage
K-pop idols First Look: Fans Get ‘Backstage Pass’ To K-Pop Star World In New Apple TV+ Series (Exclusive)
Kim Ju-young, ADOR’s current CEO, was also present to be quizzed on how he plans to curb harassment at the label following Hanna’s experience.
“We have taken the necessary measures such as consulting with the label staff regarding the manager in question. We have received a response that no such thing has happened,” Ju-young said according to The New York Times. “I have taken the best possible measures, such as asking if we can return the surveillance camera footage. But the situation is such that two sides, unfortunately, we see two opposing claims. I believe Hanna’s words and I am trying to find a way to prove her claims, but unfortunately we did not succeed make.”
Min Hee-jin has reportedly stepped down as CEO of ADOR amid accusations that she will split from the company and take NewJeans with her. Min denied the allegations and claimed that it was not her decision to leave. In a statement to Korea JoongAng Daily, Min said, “The board made the decision regardless of the CEO’s wishes.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education