Is HYBE Set to Abandon NewJeans? Exploring the Future of the Group

Significant Media Attention Surrounds NewJeans’ Hanni’s Employment Status

Recently, the topic of NewJeans’ member Hanni emerged as a focal point in the media, with approximately 180 articles covering the issue on the Naver portal. The Ministry of Employment and Labor’s determination that Hanni may not be classified as an employee has sparked considerable discussion across various news outlets.

Of these articles, around 110 featured open comments, indicating they were published by mainstream news organizations rather than exclusively entertainment-focused platforms. This trend underscores the broad interest in the case, not only from entertainment journalists but also from general and economic columns.

The declaration by the Seoul West Regional Employment and Labor Office on November 20th concluded the investigation into a workplace bullying complaint raised by NewJeans fans, who alleged Hanni was ostracized in her work environment. The Office’s findings focused on the assertion that under the Labor Standards Act, it was challenging to categorize Hanni as an employee, thereby nullifying the claims of workplace bullying.

Reactions and Implications of Media Coverage

A notable trend in article headlines revolves around denying the existence of workplace bullying or suggesting that Hanni’s financial success absolves her from traditional employee status. This narrative seems to have fueled a wave of negative commentary across open-discussion articles, hinting at a protective sentiment towards large corporations.

Despite the extensive media scrutiny, the Ministry did not categorically state that Hanni was exempt from forms of workplace bullying. Rather, the Ministry’s guidelines apply to all individuals regardless of their employment status, emphasizing the distinction of recognizing someone as an “employee”as central to these discussions.

The question of whether entertainers are covered under the Labor Standards Act has been contentious, with historical precedents reinforcing the view that artists operate under exclusive contracts with their agencies rather than being regular employees. This legal perspective continues to influence the current dialogue surrounding Hanni’s status.

Ongoing Controversies and Demands from NewJeans

The discourse surrounding Hanni’s employee status should not overshadow the crucial question of whether she experienced workplace bullying. Inevitably, the media’s portrayal has resulted in a narrative distance from the actual events.

In the days following the announcement of Hanni’s situation, I anticipated a response from HYBE’s public relations team, especially considering their previous request to correct misreported facts regarding NewJeans’ achievements in Japan.

Coincidentally, on the same day as the announcement, ADOR, HYBE’s subsidiary, revealed that Min Hee-jin had resigned. In their statement, they expressed regret and reaffirmed support for NewJeans’ growth, leading me to believe HYBE would also respond appropriately to the ongoing concerns.

Unfortunately, despite widespread coverage, it appears that HYBE has not taken significant remedial action; many articles still reflect their original, potentially misleading titles. For context, the news surrounding Min Hee-jin’s resignation garnered approximately 230 articles, illustrating the disparity in media focus.

Interestingly, discussions regarding HYBE’s recent music industry report, which stirred controversy within the K-pop community, resulted in far fewer articles than those concerning Hanni. Moreover, during the 1st Korea Grand Music Awards on November 16th, there were plans for NewJeans to collaborate with ZEROBASEONE, but the mention of ZEROBASEONE in HYBE’s report led to complications and ultimately resulted in the collaboration being called off.

Formal Notice and NewJeans’ Demands

NewJeans addressed ADOR formally on November 13th, signifying their intention to terminate their exclusive contract if unresolved issues persisted by November 27th. Among their grievances was a troubling statement from HYBE’s report, disclosed during a parliamentary audit on October 24, which appeared to disregard NewJeans’ identity and achievements.

The group demanded accountability regarding who initiated the decision to potentially abandon NewJeans and insisted on measures addressing any misconduct, including breach of trust. They sought an official apology from the manager who allegedly instructed Hanni to disregard the situation and voiced their demand for Min Hee-jin’s return as CEO.

As of now, ADOR has yet to provide a clear response to NewJeans’ formal notice. Following a tumultuous emergency live broadcast, ADOR rejected their requests by the stipulated deadline. Speculation is rife regarding how ADOR will respond by November 27th, amid growing concerns about internal discord.

Recent leaks, stemming from Min Hee-jin’s messages, combined with rumors of substantial breach fees, suggest a potential pathway for ADOR that excludes NewJeans, highlighting a concerning trend of neglecting their voices. It raises serious questions about their leadership’s commitment to transparency and integrity in this evolving situation.

As it stands, breach fees are contingent on the violation of contractual obligations, and speculation surrounding the financial implications based on NewJeans’ earnings lacks solid grounding. The eventual determination regarding the termination of NewJeans’ exclusive contract will likely rest with the courts, which will review evidence to ascertain any breach.

Allegations suggesting that NewJeans are engaging in contract negotiations with other agencies remain baseless. Cultural Minister Yoo In-chon acknowledged the confusion these insinuations caused during the parliamentary audit, but the discrepancy in public sentiment persists.

In a digital landscape rife with misinformation, particularly concerning claims that NewJeans may disband on November 27th, the challenges ADOR and HYBE face in correcting these inaccuracies are formidable. Nonetheless, if their intention is to foster NewJeans’ development and ensure their welfare, actions must follow their words—immediate and concrete support is paramount as the deadline looms.

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