In brief
Amid ongoing tensions within South Korea's entertainment sphere, NewJeans' Hanni spoke at parliament about K-pop's harsh realities, urging reforms for performers' rights.
Hanni, a prominent member of the K-pop group NewJeans, recently took the stand at South Korea's National Assembly to discuss workplace bullying in the tightly-regulated K-pop industry. The artist's testimony, anticipated for its rarity and significance, echoed previous allegations, underlining experiences of disrespect and harassment from management figures within Hybe, the parent label of NewJeans. Her appearance comes amidst broader scrutiny by the Environment and Labor Committee investigating entertainment industry labor conditions. This investigation is crucial because many Korean entertainers lack labor law protections. Notably, performers from bands like Omega X have previously reported management abuse, heightening calls for legislative reform to safeguard artists. Hanni’s participation in these discussions is part of a larger dispute involving Hybe, tied to producer Min Hee-Jin's dismissal—a conflict that saw NewJeans publicly challenging their label in defense of Min. While the group hasn't severed ties with Hybe, their ultimatum underscores pressing issues regarding entertainers' rights and unjust contract practices endemic in the industry.
