NewJeans Star Hanni Breaks Down Over Workplace Harassment Claims During Testimony

In a shocking and emotional testimony, Hanni, a 20-year-old member of the K-pop sensation NewJeans, recounted her experiences of workplace harassment before South Korean lawmakers, sparking widespread concern and debate within the entertainment industry.

During her testimony, Hanni revealed that her entertainment agency, Hybe, had systematically undermined her group. She recounted feeling completely isolated and mentioned that senior management had ignored her multiple times. "I honestly thought the company hated us," she confessed, as tears streamed down her face.

Hanni's testimony comes amid an alarming inquiry into workplace harassment within South Korea's entertainment sphere, particularly after the controversial dismissal of the group's mentor, Min Hee-Jin. Min has been a pivotal figure in their ascent to fame but was removed from her position in August after reportedly making plans to part ways with Hybe, taking NewJeans with her. In response to these circumstances, Hanni and her fellow band members made a rare public declaration of their discontent, calling for Min's reinstatement through a video posted on a burner YouTube account.

The atmosphere of negativity and disrespect within the agency appears to have reached a breaking point for Hanni. She described a disturbing incident where, after greeting members of another group, a manager explicitly instructed them to “ignore her.” This blatant disregard for basic courtesy left Hanni bewildered and upset. “I don’t understand why something like this would happen at work,” she said during her testimony.

But her grievances didn’t end there. Hanni also discussed frequent incidents of being snubbed by senior members of Hybe. “Since my debut with NewJeans, I have encountered high-ranking people who never acknowledged my greetings,” she explained, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect in a professional environment.

Moreover, Hanni disclosed troubling behavior she had witnessed within the company, including employees disparaging NewJeans on Blind, an internal communication app, and a Hybe PR representative allegedly attempting to downplay the achievements of NewJeans in media coverage. Although Hybe has dismissed these allegations as attempts to correct misinformation, Hanni remains unconvinced, stating the incidents reinforced her growing belief that the company harbored animosity towards her band.

Kim Joo-young, the CEO of Ador (Hybe's subsidiary managing NewJeans), appeared during the testimony as well. She expressed belief in Hanni’s account but stated she could not find evidence to support it, noting that CCTV footage had already expired by the time she requested it. Kim has committed to cooperating with ongoing investigations into the claims.

The unfolding drama has captivated South Korean media and the global K-Pop community, which has watched NewJeans rise to prominence with hits like “Super Shy,” “OMG,” and “Supernatural.” Despite the troubling internal circumstances, the group has continued to perform and release music, bound by a lengthy seven-year contract that runs until 2029.

Hanni's heartfelt conclusion during the assembly session captured the emotional toll of these events on the group. Wiping away tears, she expressed her gratitude for being able to pursue her passion but lamented the overshadowing of their artistic success by internal strife. "The ones who should be apologizing are avoiding responsibility, and that frustrates me," she stated poignantly.

As these serious allegations take center stage, the entertainment industry is left to grapple with the implications of workplace culture, respect, and the treatment of artists within the K-pop framework. Will change come in the wake of Hanni's courageous testimony? Only time will tell as fans rally around NewJeans and demand a more respectful environment for their idols.