NewJeans Causing Global Shame for K-pop? Korean Netizens React to International Report
A recent post on Korean online forum Pann titled “NewJeans Causing Global Embarrassment for K-pop” has sparked a wave of reactions from Korean netizens.
The post references a report by a major U.S. media outlet that highlighted labor rights issues involving NewJeans, focusing on how the South Korean Ministry of Labor did not recognize member Hanni as a “worker.” The original post expressed concern over the impact of such reporting on K-pop’s international image:
A very famous American news outlet wrote about NewJeans, depicting K-pop as exploitative and recalling painful incidents. This is such an embarrassment.
HYBE is now seen as an exploitative company, and with the world already scrutinizing K-pop, this is like pouring cold water on everything.
Truly shameful.
The post quickly gained over 58,000 views, generating hundreds of comments with sharply divided opinions.
Some netizens criticized the group:
- What did K-pop ever do to you, NewJeans?
- They’re a group that shouldn’t have existed in the first place.
- To Western media that refuses to acknowledge K-pop, they’re probably the perfect target to tear down. Seriously… NewJeans…
- Using deceased people and insulting the country—yeah, that really crossed the line.
- Stuff like this going public won’t just hurt HYBE idols, but artists from other agencies too.
- Huh? What’s with the HYBE defenders now? Are their leaked documents just a “minor incident” to you? Writing things like “Korean women this and that” in reports—lol. Seriously, why are these HYBE stans coming into the forums every day just to stir up drama?
As of now, no official response has been made by HYBE regarding this specific Pann discussion. The topic continues to trend across Korean platforms, signaling deep-rooted public debate surrounding idol labor rights and media portrayals of K-pop.
