HYBE Faces Criticism: Labor Violation Allegations Against NewJeans and Industry Response to Leaked Documents

HYBE and ADOR Under Scrutiny: Labor Violations and Industry Backlash

Recent revelations from the Ministry of Employment and Labor indicate that HYBE and its subsidiary ADOR are facing serious allegations regarding potential violations of labor laws. According to Women’s News, these complaints have emerged from both enthusiastic fans and advocacy groups, particularly focusing on incidents of workplace harassment.

Complaints Sparked by NewJeans’ Broadcast

The controversy stems from a live broadcast featuring NewJeans, during which members highlighted instances of negligence towards fellow member Hanni. A significant point of discussion during this segment was the group’s call for former CEO Min Hee-jin to return and their plea for HYBE to reconsider the management structure of ADOR by September 25. A representative from the Ministry’s customer service center confirmed that as of September 13, over 100 complaints containing keywords such as “ADOR”and “NewJeans”have been officially lodged.

Protecting Underage Idols

One fan, referred to as Fan A, articulated concerns over the absence of protective legislation for underage idols in South Korea. Fan A expressed hope that this case could catalyze significant legislative reforms. A labor inspector informed A that the claims were formally accepted, and an investigation would commence in accordance with standard protocols.

Legal Perspectives on Employment Status

Advocacy groups, including Workplace Gapjil 119, have emphasized that the members of NewJeans, as individuals bound by exclusive contracts and operating under agency supervision, should be regarded as employees under the Labor Standards Act. This designation would grant them protections against workplace harassment, thereby elevating the urgency surrounding these allegations.

Internal Conflicts and Industry Outrage

In addition to labor law issues, HYBE is currently embroiled in a separate controversy related to a leaked internal document that surfaced during an audit. This document allegedly contained derogatory comments about rival K-Pop artists, agencies, and their respective fandoms, sparking widespread outrage within the industry. Despite a public apology from CEO Lee Jae-sang, insiders report that the affected parties have not received any direct communications, which has intensified industry discontent.

Broader Implications for HYBE

The fallout from the document leak has fostered a growing reluctance among rival agencies to collaborate with HYBE due to fears of potential disrespect towards their artists. The silence from HYBE’s chairman, Bang Si-hyuk—who is implicated in the approval of the document—has only exacerbated the mistrust and speculation surrounding the company’s practices and intentions.

Facing Dual Challenges

As it stands, HYBE is confronting mounting pressures from multiple angles: addressing allegations of labor violations while simultaneously navigating a broader industry backlash that could jeopardize its reputation and partnerships in the competitive K-Pop landscape.

Source: Women’s News, KrB

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