Hanni’s National Assembly Highlights: NewJeans Star Exposes Bullying, ADOR CEO Addresses Employee Death

NewJeans Hanni
NewJeans Hanni
Credit: JTBC

NewJeans member Hanni delivered a tearful testimony detailing the bullying she has faced within her agency, ADOR, at the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee hearing held on October 16th. The hearing also highlighted allegations of negligence regarding the death of an employee at HYBE, leading to sharp criticisms directed at Chairman Bang Si Hyuk.

Hanni’s Emotional Testimony: Exposing Bullying and Neglect at ADOR

NewJeans member Hanni testified at the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee on October 15th, emotionally recounting the bullying she has faced within her agency, ADOR.  She claimed, “I felt certain that the company dislikes us.”  

During the hearing, Hanni detailed an incident where a manager from a different team intentionally ignored her. “After finishing hair and makeup and waiting in the hallway, three members of another team and a female manager passed by and greeted me politely,” she said. “Five or ten minutes later, they came back out. The manager made eye contact with me and told the members behind her, ‘Ignore her and pretend you don’t see her.'”  

Hanni expressed her frustration, stating, “I couldn’t understand why I had to go through this and why such words were said in a professional environment in the first place. This wasn’t an isolated incident. That’s why I’m here today—because if I didn’t speak up, this issue would be quietly brushed aside and buried, like so many others.”

The Vietnamese-Australian member of NewJeans added, “This could happen to anyone in the future—whether they are seniors, juniors, peers, or even current trainees. I came forward because I don’t want others to experience this.”

>> NewJeans’ Hanni Confirms She Will Testify at Upcoming National Assembly Hearing

Hanni also mentioned, “Since our debut, I’ve frequently encountered someone in a high position, but they never once returned my greetings. I felt it was rude, both in a professional and personal context.”

She went on to describe a troubling atmosphere within the company, saying, “There’s a certain vibe that’s difficult to explain, something only those who have been through it can understand. It’s hard to talk about. Besides the incident with the manager I mentioned earlier, I also saw company employees criticizing NewJeans on the app ‘Blind.'”

When asked by Representative Woo Jae Jun of the People Power Party why she thought the company disliked her, Hanni replied, “We debuted differently compared to other HYBE artists, and we’ve been successful, so it feels like they’re trying to bring us down.”

Hanni pointed out that while there was an 8-second CCTV clip showing the other party greeting her, no footage of what happened afterward was available. She said, “I recorded the meeting to ensure I wouldn’t miss anything important, and I have proof that CEO Kim Joo Young is lying.”

Hanni further emphasized, “I don’t think ADOR has done its best. If they wanted to protect us, they should have either apologized or taken action. I hope they resolve this issue quickly instead of talking about the future.”

She concluded by saying, “The contracts between artists and trainees may differ, but one thing that shouldn’t change is the fact that we are all human. Many people seem to have forgotten that.”

In response, Kim Joo Young, the CEO of ADOR, stated, “Unfortunately, based on our internal investigation, the claims from both sides are conflicting. I believe in what Hanni has said and claimed, and I’m trying to find evidence to prove it, but regrettably, we haven’t been able to secure that evidence yet.”

Kim added, “As Hanni mentioned, I will listen more carefully to the voices of our artists and strengthen communication. We will also fully cooperate with the ongoing Labor Office investigation to clearly establish the facts.”

She also stated, “I will make every effort to protect the rights of artists, including Hanni so that they can fully realize their dreams and aspirations. It has only been a month and a half since I became the new CEO of ADOR. If you trust me and give me a little more time, I promise to build a better company.”

Bang Si Hyuk Under Fire: Lawmaker Demands Accountability for HYBE’s Controversies

Regarding Hanni’s testimony, lawmaker Park said, “HYBE Chairman Bang S Hyuk caused this social controversy, yet is not even present at this hearing.” He added, “Chairman Bang Si Hyuk should not be idly enjoying himself in the U.S. He needs to quickly realize the gravity of this issue. This is a disastrous situation where a giant entertainment company is betraying the public, its customers, and facing controversies over human rights violations against its greatest asset—their artists.”

Investigating Tragedy: Questions Arise Over Employee’s Death and Alleged Cover-Up

Progressive Party lawmaker Jeong Hye Kyung inquired about the incident in September 2022, where an employee collapsed at HYBE’s office and was later transported to the hospital, only to pass away. CEO Kim responded, “Unfortunately, the employee collapsed and was taken to the hospital, and a few days later passed away due to a personal health condition. It was a truly tragic event. There was no cover-up involved.”

In response, lawmaker Jeong Hye Kyung asked if it was not a case of death from overwork that should be handled as an industrial accident since the employee died while on duty. CEO Kim Joo Young explained that they did not process it as an industrial accident, respecting the wishes of the deceased employee’s parents. To this, lawmaker Jeong retorted, “That’s how all cover-ups happen. It gets covered up by reaching an agreement with the bereaved family.”

Source (1, 2)

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