New Jeans has ignited controversy by revealing allegations of bullying within their management company, Hive, during an urgent live broadcast. The Ministry of Employment and Labor has now been requested to investigate this troubling situation. A fan, identified as A, submitted a petition urging the ministry to conduct a thorough investigation into the claims made by the K-pop group.
A highlighted that the ministry must act upon the guidelines established in their manual concerning workplace harassment. According to the manual, harassment is defined as actions that utilize one’s position to inflict psychological or physical pain beyond reasonable work-related expectations. A emphasized that such acts of collective bullying and willful exclusion clearly exceed acceptable workplace behavior.
A further pointed out that if the claims from member Hani about her experiences are validated, it may constitute violations of the Labor Standards Act regarding workplace harassment. Hani expressed her disbelief upon hearing a manager instruct another artist to ignore her, raising concerns about accountability and support within the company. Meanwhile, Minji voiced her shock that the company did not take action after she reported Hani’s distressing experiences.
The K-pop community is closely watching as New Jeans’ allegations have stirred considerable attention online. They are now calling for a return to their previous management under Min Hee-jin by the 25th, emphasizing their discomfort with the current environment at Hive. As the fallout from their live broadcast continues to grow, both fans and industry insiders are eager to see how the situation unfolds.
In a related development, former CEO Min Hee-jin was abruptly dismissed from her role at the agency Ador last month. While the agency has expressed intentions for her to continue in a producing capacity, Min has rejected these terms, citing unacceptable clauses in her contract. Tensions have escalated involving producers who previously collaborated with her, highlighting ongoing disputes within the company.