K-Pop Group NewJeans Announces Departure from Ador Amid Allegations of Mistreatment

The highly successful K-pop ensemble, NewJeans, has declared its intention to depart from its current agency, citing accusations of “mistreatment” and “manipulation.” This five-member female musical group made its announcement regarding leaving Ador, an affiliate of the prominent label Hybe, during a press conference conducted late on Thursday evening. Ador, conversely, has asserted that its contractual agreement with NewJeans remains valid, stating that the agency has not breached any of its provisions. This disagreement represents the most recent progression in an ongoing conflict between Min Hee-Jin, who previously produced for NewJeans, and Bang Si-hyuk, chairman of Hybe, a conflict that has garnered significant media attention in South Korea. Hanni, a member of the group, has claimed to have experienced workplace harassment during her tenure with the label. Hanni stated, “This is not the type of work ethic we respect and not one we want to be a part of, and to continue working under a company with no intention of protecting NewJeans would only do us harm.” She further indicated that the group had encountered “mistreatment, not just towards us but also including our staff,” and reported that the group had undergone “deliberate miscommunications and manipulation in multiple areas.” Ador continues to affirm the validity of its contract with NewJeans, asserting that it has not failed in its obligations, and has requested that the group “continue their activities” alongside the agency. In a statement issued subsequent to the group’s announcement, Ador declared, “A unilateral claim that trust has been broken does not constitute valid grounds for termination of a contract.” The agency expressed, “We regret that the press conference on the termination of the contract took place without sufficient consideration, and even before we gave our response to the demand letter.” NewJeans expressed a desire to collaborate with Min, the group’s former creative director, who departed Ador in August amidst allegations that she had intended to separate from Hybe, bringing NewJeans along. Such a move would have rendered NewJeans and Ador independent entities from Hybe. Min has refuted the accusations leveled against her. Previously, she has accused Hybe of introducing another girl group, Illit, alleging that it imitated NewJeans’ musical style and visual presentation. On November 13, NewJeans submitted a legal notification to Ador, requiring the company to rectify breaches of their exclusive contracts within a 14-day period. They indicated that non-compliance with their demands would lead to the termination of their contracts. The group has requested an apology concerning a remark reportedly made by an executive at Belift Lab, another Hybe subsidiary, and has accused the company of engaging in workplace bullying. Furthermore, they have called for the immediate return of Min to her position. They also stated their commitment to fulfilling their existing contractual duties, but during the conference, cautioned their fanbase that they might lose the ability to use the band’s name once the contract concludes. Before NewJeans’ public statement, the band was bound by a seven-year contract scheduled to expire in 2029. This agreement contains a provision allowing either party to unilaterally terminate the contract if the other has failed to uphold its obligations. Nevertheless, given the disagreement between both parties, the issue is anticipated to proceed to court. In such an event, a judge would determine whether the contract can be terminated and if one party is liable for damages to the other. In October, Koreaboo, a K-pop news platform, projected that the group members might be required to pay approximately 300 billion South Korean Won (equivalent to about £170 million) for an early contract termination. However, Haerin, a singer in the group, asserted that it was “no sense” for the group to be held responsible for a contract breach fee. Haerin stated, “We never broke any rules. We did nothing but try our best – they are the ones at fault. Hybe and Ador are the ones responsible.” Ador affirmed that it had not “violated” the contract’s terms, further stating that it “respectfully requests that the group continue its collaboration with Ador on upcoming activities.” Referring to NewJeans, Ador commented, “Despite multiple requests for meetings with the artists, our efforts have not been successful. We hope the members will now be willing to engage in an open and candid discussion.” The group has been involved in a controversy spanning a year, characterized by audits and emotionally charged accusations that have been widely reported in South Korean media. In October, Hanni, a 20-year-old member of the group, provided testimony at a hearing regarding workplace harassment before the Labour Committee of South Korea’s National Assembly. She claimed that Hybe, the entertainment agency, had intentionally weakened her band and accused senior management of purposefully disregarding her. After a series of incidents, she remarked, “I came to the realisation that this wasn’t just a feeling. I was honestly convinced that the company hated us.” Hybe’s stock experienced a 4% decline during Friday’s trading session in Seoul. NewJeans launched in 2022 and ranks among Hybe’s most triumphant K-pop acts, alongside BTS. Featuring popular tracks such as Super Shy and OMG, NewJeans achieved the status of the eighth highest-selling musical act globally last year and received a nomination for best group at the current year’s MTV Awards. Established by Ador in 2022, its five members—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—are between 16 and 20 years of age. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.