Hanni’s Workplace Complaint Concluded, Min Hee-jin Resigns: Tensions Escalate as Deadline Nears
On November 20, the Seoul Western District Office of Employment and Labor announced that it had concluded the complaint filed by NewJeans fans regarding alleged workplace harassment of Hanni. The investigation determined that “Hanni does not qualify as a worker under the Labor Standards Act,” thus closing the case administratively.
The issue originated in September when Hanni, during a YouTube live stream with other members, claimed she greeted a passing celebrity and manager in HYBE’s hallway, only to be instructed to “ignore her” by the manager. Fans subsequently demanded a thorough investigation into alleged bullying within HYBE.
However, the labor office ruled that the management contract between Hanni and ADOR did not establish a typical employer-employee relationship, referencing a 2019 court decision that identified exclusive contracts with entertainers as civil law agreements rather than employment contracts. As a result, Hanni’s case did not meet the legal criteria for workplace harassment under Article 76-2 of the Labor Standards Act.
Later that day, Min Hee-jin announced her resignation as an internal director of ADOR. In a statement, she explained, “I am stepping down as a director of ADOR and terminating the shareholder agreement with HYBE. I intend to hold HYBE legally accountable for their violations of the agreement and will pursue necessary legal actions against their numerous illegal activities.”
Min Hee-jin also cited her efforts to resolve conflicts with HYBE over the past 7 months, initiated by what she described as “illegal audits” in April. She concluded, “Despite my efforts to restore ADOR, HYBE has shown no willingness to acknowledge their faults or change their behavior. I’ve decided further efforts are a waste of time.”
She added sharp criticism of HYBE, “The atrocities HYBE committed in 2024 will be remembered as unprecedented in K-pop history. Their moral negligence has reached its peak, and while their media manipulation tactics continue, I believe the public has grown wise to their patterns.”
Min Hee-jin closed her statement by hinting at a new direction in her career, asking for continued support in her future K-pop endeavors and expressing her dismay over the damage caused to the industry’s essence.
Meanwhile, NewJeans members sent a formal notice to ADOR on November 13, demanding rectification of significant breaches of their exclusive contracts. The notice warned that if their demands were not met within 2 weeks, they would terminate their contracts.
Although ADOR expressed a desire to resolve the issues amicably, NewJeans members have shown signs of preparing for a potential departure. At the 1st Korea Grand Music Awards on November 16, Hanni remarked, “We don’t know how long we’ll remain NewJeans, but nothing can disrupt the bond between us and our Bunnies.” Danielle echoed this sentiment, “Even if we are no longer NewJeans, NewJeans will never die.”
With just a week left before the deadline and Min Hee-jin’s sudden resignation, all eyes are on how this rapidly evolving situation will unfold. The outcome is eagerly awaited by K-pop fans worldwide.
Source: Daum