Addressing Labor Rights and Independence Issues: The Fear Surrounding NewJeans (NJZ) in K-pop’s Power Dynamics

The Korean Association for the Study of Popular Music has recently raised significant concerns regarding two critical issues: the proposed amendments to the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act, aimed at regulating working hours for underage artists, and the independence movement associated with NewJeans (NJZ).

On February 13, the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) publicly opposed the amendment to the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act. They articulated their position by stating, “We oppose the repeated push for the amendment […] without sufficient discussion with the industry, as it unfairly generalizes the entire music industry as an unjust collective based on a few extreme cases, without a clear examination of the realities of album production.” The KMCA criticized the new working hour restrictions for underage entertainers, which set daily and weekly limits depending on age. Despite being discarded during the previous National Assembly, the amendment has resurfaced, eliciting further discontent from industry leaders.

By February 19, a coalition of five prominent industry associations—including KMCA, the Korea Entertainment Management Association (KEMA), Korea Entertainment Producers Association (KEPA), and Recording Industry Association of Korea (RIAK)—released a joint statement urging “certain agencies and artists to stop manipulating public opinion to push their own interests” while advocating for policies to combat “tampering, ” which they recognize as a major source of contention.

These industry associations cited the ongoing dispute involving NewJeans and ADOR as a case in point. They expressed concern that, “Over the past 10 months, attempts to settle personal or contractual disputes have proliferated through media campaigns and unilateral declarations, rather than via internal dialogues or legal channels. This includes former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin’s press conferences and NewJeans member Hanni’s appearance at the National Assembly audit.” The collective warned that such practices were leading to rushed regulatory measures, driven by a misunderstanding that K-pop lacks self-regulatory capabilities—highlighted by bills like the workplace bullying prevention legislation for artists, which arose following Hanni’s testimony at the National Assembly.

While the issues related to labor regulations for minors and accusations of tampering may appear unrelated, they share a common tension. The associations sought to clarify the distinction: “We do not oppose regulations per se; however, the disputes over artist-company settlements and youth labor rights are fundamentally different. These matters should be handled individually within the industry through thorough discussions, consensus-building, and the establishment of self-regulatory guidelines.” The intersection of KMCA’s concerns about youth labor regulations with the associations’ declaration against tampering suggests apprehension regarding governmental and legislative responses to the challenges posed by NewJeans (NJZ).

Addressing Child Labor in K-pop

Implementing regulations related to child and adolescent labor is crucial for ensuring the education rights of young performers, even in instances where these individuals do not advocate for such protections themselves. Legal enforcement of these safeguards is essential, particularly due to the fundamentally hierarchical nature of the trainee system, which necessitates robust legal protections against exploitation.

Although concerns regarding waiting times, flexible schedules, and self-management within the industry are valid, opposing regulations equates to viewing child laborers as adults. The adverse realities of the K-pop industry demand acknowledgment and action.

Questionable Timing of the Tampering Statement

The timing and claims made in the joint statement regarding alleged tampering raise significant questions.

In the past, industry organizations pressured Min Hee-jin for clarification following NewJeans (NJZ)’s announcement of their contract termination, even discussing the potential removal of the group from music charts. Now, despite the absence of clear evidence, they label tampering as a fact.

The release of this statement coincided suspiciously with the upcoming March 7th injunction hearing in which ADOR is pursuing legal action against NewJeans (NJZ).Additionally, a scheduled press conference on February 27th has sparked further speculation regarding the true motivations of these organizations.

This leads to a critical question: Are they genuinely concerned about tampering, or are they apprehensive about NewJeans (NJZ)’s independent termination of the contract, which could lead to stronger labor protection measures for child entertainers? Critics assert that the focus is misguided, as it highlights the consequences of the contract termination without scrutinizing the underlying reasons.

The Rising Concern about NewJeans (NJZ)

In the wake of the joint statement, social media saw NewJeans (NJZ) members’ parents sharing poignant testimonials. One notable passage disclosed:

“During their trainee years, when all members were still minors, there was no organization or platform for them to report contract violations or workplace abuse. They had no choice but to depend solely on their agency’s moral integrity, which left their fundamental rights unprotected.”

This revelation underscores a critical flaw within the K-pop landscape: while multiple organizations advocate for entertainment companies, no entity represents the interests of K-pop artists themselves. Despite their rigorous schedules and exhaustive workloads, idols often lack a voice in pivotal industry decisions.

As discussions regarding the emergence of a “5th generation of K-pop” grow, the establishment of an advocates’ organization dedicated to championing K-pop artists’ rights has become imperative.

It is this very need that fuels the apprehension surrounding NewJeans (NJZ).

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