NewJeans Hanni attended a National Assembly audit yesterday, where her fellow group members showed their public support. Hanni appeared as a witness before South Korea’s Economic, Social, and Labor Committee, testifying about issues related to workplace harassment and bullying at HYBE, the agency behind their management.
Hanni’s decision to attend the audit was voluntary; she had previously communicated her intention to her fans. On the 9th, she shared on NewJeans’ fan communication platform, Phoning, stating, “I have decided to go to the National Assembly. I made this decision for myself, my fellow members, and for our fans, the Bunnies,” showcasing her firm resolve.
Hanni’s attendance was not discussed with ADOR, and her label is under HYBE. She openly stated, “My manager and the company still don’t know,” emphasizing her belief that participating in the audit was the right thing to do.
Following her appearance, NewJeans members rallied around Hanni. Minji updated her status on Phoning to include otter, teddy bear, and bunny emojis, representing Hanni, herself, and their fandom, along with a message of encouragement.
Daniel also showed his support that day with a heartfelt message: “Our amazing Palm unnie! You’ve got this!” Hanni’s family is backing her as well, with her mother stating, “Our family wholeheartedly supports Hanni’s choice to attend the National Assembly and speak out about workplace bullying,” demonstrating their encouragement for her courageous stance.
In addition to Hanni’s testimony, the newly appointed CEO of ADOR, Kim Joo Young, is also set to appear as a witness. This will be Kim’s first public appearance since taking over the position following the HYBE-Min Hee Jin incident, and many are eager to hear her remarks.
Furthermore, NewJeans fans are pursuing legal action against HYBE. The Team Bunnies group has filed a complaint with the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul against senior officials from HYBE and ADOR, alleging breaches of fiduciary duty and violations of personal data protection laws and demanding a robust response to the ongoing situation.
