The K-pop group NewJeans has revealed subtle bullying within their management, Hive.
During a live stream titled "What NewJeans Wants to Say," which was held on a new YouTube account, member Minji expressed her surprise that even the Ador staff were unaware of their announcement. She emphasized the importance of sharing their feelings, stating, "While I cannot disclose everything due to contractual obligations, I will be as honest as possible." Minji reflected on her initial reservations toward their senior staff but affirmed her trust in former representative Min Hee-jin after finding her approach sincere.
In a poignant revelation, Hani recounted an instance where a Hive manager instructed another artist to "disregard Hani," leaving her baffled and hurt. She expressed her frustration at feeling unsupported when she raised this issue with the new representative, who dismissed her concerns due to a lack of evidence. This experience left Hani feeling vulnerable and concerned about their future.
Minji further questioned how a team manager could tell a member to ignore their own teammate, highlighting a lack of accountability from management. She admitted feeling anxious about potential isolation within the group. Their candid discussion raises significant concerns about the workplace environment in K-pop, a topic that deserves attention.
This revelation from NewJeans sheds light on challenges that artists face behind the scenes, prompting discussions about mental health and support within the industry.