In brief
South Korean lawmakers hear allegations of workplace harassment from 20-year-old Hanni, describing incidents of being ignored and dismissed by her own record label, Ador, and its parent company, Hybe.
In a heartfelt testimony at South Korea's National Assembly, K-pop star Hanni from NewJeans brought attention to alleged workplace harassment by her record label, Ador, a subsidiary of Hybe. The 20-year-old Vietnamese-Australian singer described encounters where she felt deliberately undermined and ignored by senior personnel, even detailing an incident where she was instructed to be ignored by another band's manager. Hanni alleged a pattern of disrespect against her group, claims further supported by witnessing negative comments online and an effort by Hybe's PR to underplay NewJeans’ achievements. Although Ador CEO Kim Joo-young acknowledged her experiences, he struggled to corroborate them with evidence. The disputes have cast shadows on the rising K-pop group, nominating them at the MTV Awards, and potentially threatening the commitment to their lucrative contract, intensifying public and media scrutiny. Despite ongoing challenges, the band remains dedicated to their music and their fans, with Hanni expressing frustration over the lack of accountability from those involved.
