Shocking Ruling: NewJeans' Hanni's Bullying Allegations Dismissed! Are K-Pop Idols Left Unprotected?

In a surprising turn of events, the Seoul Regional Office of Employment and Labor has dismissed the bullying case involving Hanni, a member of the popular K-pop girl group NewJeans. The ruling, which surfaced on November 20, has raised serious concerns about the legal status and protections of K-pop idols in the South Korean entertainment industry.

K-pop girl groups like NewJeans aren't just musical sensations; they boast millions of fans and have shattered album sales records. However, a recent ruling has starkly highlighted a grim reality: these stars are not classified as "workers" under South Korea's labor laws, thereby excluding them from vital workplace protections against harassment.

The case stems from a livestream incident in September where Hanni (born Pham Ngoc Han), a Vietnamese-Australian pop star, alleged that a manager from a K-pop group under the HYBE umbrella instructed others to "ignore" her while she was waiting. The incident reportedly took place at the HYBE headquarters in Seoul.

Hanni had shared her experience with the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee, detailing the moment when, after greeting the group, the manager allegedly turned to say, "Ignore her like you didn’t see her." Hanni described the atmosphere, explaining that it wasn't an isolated occurrence and suggested that both she and her bandmates felt undervalued, stating, "I was honestly convinced that the company hated us."

The response from the labor office was swift, citing that the nature of Hanni's management contract made it difficult to classify her as a worker under the Labor Standards Act. This raises questions about the treatment of idols, who are bound by contracts yet find themselves without the standard worker protections available in other sectors.

Furthermore, the labor office clarified that Hanni's relationship with ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE, is that of equal contractual parties, lacking the supervision or direction that typically defines an employer-employee dynamic. Consequently, this ruling leaves many wondering: if K-pop idols are not considered workers, who is advocating for their rights?

In light of this decision, fans have mobilized on social media, rallying under the hashtag #IdolsAreWorkers, insisting that all individuals in the industry deserve recognition and protection as human beings first and foremost. This incident has sparked an ongoing debate about the treatment of K-pop idols and the need for reform in how these artists are valued and protected in one of the fastest-growing entertainment markets in the world.

As the situation unfolds, the question remains: What will it take for the voices of K-pop idols to be heard in the face of such harsh realities? Stay tuned as we continue to follow this story and its impact on the industry!