Legal Insights: “Challenges in Identifying Workplace Bullying in NewJeans Hanni’s Case Highlight Legal Gray Areas”

On October 15, attorney Go Sang-rok from Law Firm Pill addressed TenAsia’s question regarding whether Hanni’s allegations could qualify as workplace bullying, stating, “It’s quite challenging.” He elaborated, noting that irrespective of whether individuals like Hanni are categorized as employees, it’s essential to evaluate if the unfair treatment she reported can indeed be classified as workplace bullying. He identified three critical factors that need consideration in this evaluation.

ADOR CEO Kim Yu-young: ‘I Believe NewJeans’ Hanni, But CCTV Retention Expired’

Attorney Go further noted, “The manager who allegedly instructed others to ‘Ignore her’ is neither a direct employer nor a workplace peer of NewJeans.” He highlighted that even in cases where they may be classified as workplace associates, it remains difficult to establish that the manager holds a superior authority over the artist. Most importantly, he pointed out the significant challenge in legally demonstrating that there was a deliberate intent to bully Hanni through the alleged unfair treatment.

He remarked, “A single comment like ‘Ignore her’ is tough to categorize as an action causing emotional harm. It’s inadequate to assess this event in isolation without taking into account the surrounding context and prior occurrences.” He further noted, “The assertion that HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk ignored greetings is similarly difficult to categorize as intentional workplace bullying. While the larger context may point in that direction, evaluating actions on an individual basis does indicate weaknesses in the case.”

Nonetheless, Attorney Go affirmed, “Profiting significantly does not excuse overworking individuals. If the Labor Standards Act fails to address these matters, it necessitates further legislative and administrative solutions. With increasing social consciousness, public discussions are emerging, and dialogues regarding these issues are underway.”

He added, “Many celebrities begin their careers as minors, elevating their susceptibility to unfair practices or exploitation, thereby highlighting the need for social protections. Viewed from a broader perspective, the initiation of public dialogue serves a positive role in fostering improvements within the industry’s systemic structures and tackling these challenges.”

During the National Assembly audit on October 15, both NewJeans’ Hanni and CEO Kim Joo-young testified. Hanni shared details regarding the “Ignore her” incident and maintained that unsatisfactory treatment persists within HYBE and ADOR. In rebuttal to Hanni’s allegations, ADOR CEO Kim Joo-young acknowledged challenges in mediation due to the absence of video evidence from the incident, and he expressed a commitment to enhance the situation diligently.

Source: Daum

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