On October 15, NewJeans’ Hanni finally appeared at the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee’s state audit in South Korea. Read the summary below:
Hanni recently came across a post on Blind (an anonymous app that offers private lounges for industry professionals to discuss layoffs, hiring freezes, reorganizations, reviews, bonuses, and benefits within their sector) where HYBE employees were cursing at NewJeans members, and she also heard a recording of the HYBE PR team with Cho Sung Hoon downplaying their success in Japan. This confirmed her feelings that the company seemed to harbor negative sentiments toward them.
She recalled how, since their debut, they had greeted staff and supervisors, but their greetings were ignored. At first, she thought this was due to cultural differences, but later she realized that it was a sign of disrespect regardless of their status as foreigners.
According to BBC, Hanni shared more details about the incident with the manager during the hearing. She reportedly shared that she was waiting in the hallway on the HYBE HQ floor where artists get their hair and makeup done. After completing her glam, she saw three artists from another group pass her by with their manager. Hanni claims she said hello to them, and then, on their way back, the manager told the other artists to ignore her as they passed her by again.
She expressed her disappointment, stating that while Kim Ju Young, ADOR’s current CEO, claimed to protect them, there was no real action to back up those words.
Hanni shared not only the incident of being ignored but also the malicious comments from employees, as well as a recorded conversation with Cho Sung-hoon. These events made her realize that the company’s bullying of NewJeans was not just a feeling but a reality.
At the end of the audit, Hanni gave a powerful closing speech saying:
“I feel that if we respect each other as humans, at the very least, issues like workplace harassment and other sensitive matters wouldn’t exist. I’m so grateful for the attention you’ve given to this matter, and I truly hope that none of the seniors, peers, juniors, or trainees here have to worry about things like this. I’ve seen that many people are concerned for us, and I’m very thankful. I’ve also seen a lot of comments asking why I had to experience something like this in Korea. But what I want to say here is that there’s no need to feel sorry. In Korea, I’ve met members and staff whom I love dearly and consider family, and it’s a country where I get to do the work I love, so I don’t quite understand what you’re apologizing for.
On the contrary, the people who should be apologizing should come forward confidently if they’ve done nothing wrong, without avoiding accountability, but instead, they keep dodging situations like this, which is really frustrating. I don’t know how else to express my gratitude, but even the Australian Embassy reached out to my parents because of their concerns about us. I’m so thankful for their offer to help and their worry.
Lastly, if I have to come out here again, I will work even harder on my Korean and come out better prepared. Thank you. I truly appreciate it, and you’ve all worked so hard.”
