Internet Mocks NewJeans Fans’ Loyalty Shift, Calling Them “Psychobunnyz”

Fandom Divided: The Impact of the Min Hee-jin and HYBE Legal Dispute on NewJeans Supporters

The recent legal conflict involving Min Hee-jin and HYBE has not only made headlines but also stirred significant backlash among fans of the popular group NewJeans. This discord has sparked criticism from various online communities, leading to heated debates and emotional outbursts.

A particularly virulent comment on a Korean forum epitomizes this division. It condemns fans who previously rallied behind Min Hee-jin but have since realigned their loyalties to NewJeans, now managed by ADOR, following recent courtroom rulings. The harsh critique reads: “They acted like they were winning by siding with Min Hee-jin, but now that nothing’s going their way in court, they’re crawling back to ADOR as if nothing happened. Disgusting.”

The commentary escalated with the author coining the term “싸패토끼단” (Psychobunnyz), a derisive play on the NewJeans fandom name “Bunnies.” This label aims to mock fans perceived as fickle, who shifted their support without taking responsibility for their past actions. The comment also criticized the supporters of Min Hee-jin for arguing that “none of the arguments from her side held up in court, ”suggesting a detachment from reality as new information unfolded.

The ongoing management of NewJeans by ADOR, under Min Hee-jin, is a continual source of contention. Discussions on platforms like Pann showcase a split between loyalists to Min Hee-jin and those who wish to dissociate the band’s future from her legal difficulties.

“I find people who play the victim amusing. They claim, ‘I’m so sad and lonely without NewJeans; I have nothing to enjoy’ LOL. Just two years prior to their debut, fans were perfectly fine.”
“For anyone with a semblance of normalcy, just reading the leaked KakaoTalk messages before the court’s verdict should have been enough to sever ties.”
“Fans arguing to ‘go back’ seem to think they are superior to those supporting the lawsuit—it’s absurd. They are all essentially the same. NewJeans conducts themselves this way, yet their fandom remains infatuated, unable to leave. If NewJeans were to return to HYBE, those fans would likely resume attacking other idols. It’s obvious. I dread the thought of their return.”
“The fans exhibit less intelligence than NJ’s.”
“While I feel sympathy for NewJeans, just contemplating their most fervent supporters makes me wish they would fall hard. They have relentlessly criticized HYBE and harassed other HYBE idols. And now, they’re urging for a return? Where is their moral compass? Absent?”

This intensifying backlash serves as a prime example of how fandom culture can become deeply fragmented during significant industry controversies, particularly those involving ethical and legal dilemmas. The tensions between supporting artistic integrity and navigating complex loyalties showcase the challenges modern fandoms face amidst ongoing disputes.

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