The K-pop group NewJeans has publicly called for the reinstatement of their former agency head, Min Hee-jin, amid rising tensions with their management company, Ador, and its parent company, HYBE.
On November 11, all five members of NewJeans conducted an urgent live broadcast titled "What NewJeans Wants to Say" on their YouTube channel, which they said was not sanctioned by Ador. During the broadcast, they expressed their discomfort with internal issues, citing experiences of bullying and irrational treatment, particularly highlighting an incident where a manager allegedly told another artist to ignore Hani. The members voiced their fears about the potential for further mistreatment and shared their disappointment regarding the lack of support from their agency.
Hani revealed feeling unsupported when bringing up her concerns, while Minji criticized the lack of accountability from the managerial team. The group emphasized that their intention for the broadcast was to address problematic behaviors rather than to escalate conflict. They urged the management to revert to its original state by reinstating Min Hee-jin, appealing for understanding from their agency.
Reactions from fans and netizens have been polarized, with some praising the members for their courage, while others criticized their emotional approach to the situation. Some respondents voiced concern over why the situation had escalated into a live broadcast, pondering the implications of such conflicts within the K-pop industry. As the fallout continues, many are left wondering how HYBE will respond to this unexpected call for change.
Meanwhile, Min Hee-jin was abruptly dismissed from her position at Ador on October 27, which has led to increasing tensions in the company. Despite Ador's initial offer to allow her to continue producing for the group, she rejected it, citing a hostile environment. This development raises questions about the future of NewJeans and their management amidst ongoing internal strife.