Seoul, South Korea – Chart-topping K-pop sensations NewJeans have recently made headlines after announcing their departure from Ador, a subsidiary of the renowned label Hybe. The five-member girl band cited “mistreatment” and “manipulation” as the primary reasons for their decision to part ways with the agency.
During a late-night press conference held on Thursday, one of the group’s members, Hanni, bravely spoke out about alleged workplace harassment she endured while under the management of Ador. The departure comes amidst a longstanding conflict between former NewJeans producer Min Hee-Jin and Hybe’s chairman Bang Si-hyuk.
Hanni expressed, “This is not the type of work ethic we respect and not one we want to be a part of.” She highlighted the mistreatment not only towards the group but also towards their staff, revealing deliberate miscommunications and manipulation in various aspects of their career.
The group expressed their desire to collaborate with Min, who previously departed Ador amid accusations of planning to lead NewJeans away from Hybe. Despite denying these allegations, Min has been vocal about Hybe’s launch of a new girl group, Illit, which she believes mirrors NewJeans’ music and appearance.
In response to the alleged breaches of their exclusive contracts, NewJeans issued a legal notice demanding resolution from Ador within a specified timeframe. Additionally, they called for an apology for a comment made by a Belift Lab executive, accusing the company of workplace bullying and requesting the immediate reinstatement of Min.
Despite their commitment to fulfill their contractual obligations, NewJeans cautioned fans during the press conference that they might not retain the rights to use the band’s name post-contract termination. The group was originally bound by a seven-year contract set to expire in 2029.
The situation has garnered significant attention in South Korea, with emotional accusations and audits dominating headlines. Hanni specifically testified at the Labour Committee of South Korea’s National Assembly about workplace harassment, revealing feelings of being undermined and ignored by senior managers at Hybe.
NewJeans made their debut in 2022 and quickly rose to fame with hits like “Super Shy” and “OMG.” They were recognized as the eighth best-selling act globally last year and were even nominated for best group at the MTV Awards. Formed by Ador in 2022, the group’s members – Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein – range in age from 16 to 20.