Amid internal turmoil, K-pop group NewJeans held an emergency live broadcast on a separate YouTube account on November 11. The group's member, Hyein, expressed her concerns for the well-being of those impacted by recent management changes, stating that witnessing unfair pressures on her colleagues was distressing. She emphasized the fear for the group’s future and felt compelled to act, reflecting the gravity of the situation that has affected all five members. Their decision to speak out highlights the significant impact of agency dynamics on the artists' mental health.
Recently, Ador, the agency overseeing NewJeans, made headlines by terminating the contract of former CEO Min Hee-jin and appointing Kim Joo-young as the new CEO. While Ador announced that Min would continue her role in producing for NewJeans, she contested the abrupt dismissal as unfair and rejected the proposed contract for ongoing production work. This controversy has escalated, with Ador requesting the removal of videos created in collaboration with Dolphin Kidnappers, leading to further tension between the management and Min.
In a noteworthy turn of events, NewJeans recently received multiple awards at the '2024 The Fact Music Awards' held in Osaka, Japan, where they acknowledged Min Hee-jin's contributions during their acceptance speeches. The recognition as 'Worldwide Icon,' 'World Best Performer,' and 'Artist of the Year' underscores the group's rising influence in the K-pop scene. As the saga continues, fans and followers remain keenly interested in how these developments will shape the future of NewJeans.