NewJeans singer Haney tearfully testifies about workplace harassment

A member of Okay-pop group NewJeans tearfully testified earlier than South Korean lawmakers as a part of an investigation into office harassment.

Haney, 20, claimed leisure company Hybe intentionally sabotaged her band and accused senior managers of intentionally ignoring her.

After experiencing a number of incidents, she mentioned, “I spotted it was greater than only a feeling. I used to be actually satisfied that the corporate hated us.”

After listening to her testimony, the CEO of Ador, Hybe’s NewJeans label, mentioned he would “pay attention extra fastidiously” to the artist, including: “I ponder if there’s extra I can do.”

Hanni, who’s Vietnamese-Australian, gave proof at a listening to of the South Korean parliament’s labor committee on office harassment.

Final month, NewJeans was known as to testify after she publicly accused her mentor Min Hee-Jin of being fired.

Min co-founded Ador in 2021 and had been key to the band’s success, however she was fired in August amid accusations she deliberate to interrupt up with Hybe and take NewJeans along with her.

Min has repeatedly denied this. Then, in September, NewJeans took the bizarre step of publicly expressing their dissatisfaction with the established order.

They posted on their YouTube account demanding Min’s reinstatement, claiming they have been being harassed within the office.

In a single incident, Haney mentioned that when she greeted members of one other band on the label’s workplace, a supervisor instructed them to “ignore her.”

The singer mentioned her issues had been put to relaxation by the point she reported the incident.

In her testimony, Haney additional detailed the trade.

“Now we have a ground within the constructing for hair and make-up. I used to be ready within the hallway as a result of my hair and make-up have been performed first.”

Whereas she waited, three singers from one other band walked previous with their supervisor.

“I mentioned good day to all of them and so they got here again about 5 to 10 minutes later.

“On her means out, [the manager] Made eye contact with me, then turned to the others and mentioned “ignore her such as you did not see her”.

“I do not perceive why she would say one thing like that in a piece setting,” she added.

Talking on the Nationwide Meeting in Seoul, Hani mentioned this was not an remoted incident and claimed senior members of Hybe’s administration additionally gave her the chilly shoulder.

“Since I debuted [in NewJeans]Many instances we met somebody in a excessive place however once I greeted them they by no means greeted me.

“I discovered whereas dwelling in Korea that I’ve to be well mannered to older folks, it is a part of the tradition – however I feel it is disrespectful to not say good day to us no matter our skilled standing.”

She continued: “There is a sure vibe [of disrespect] That is what I really feel within the firm.

Haney additional claimed that she had seen staff badmouthing NewJeans on Blind, an inside communications app much like Groups or Slack.

She additionally mentioned Hybe’s public relations division contacted a reporter asking him to downplay NewJeans’ achievement in an article about its report gross sales.

Heib has beforehand denied the accusations and mentioned they’d been attempting to right a factual error.

Nonetheless, Haney mentioned the incident bolstered her feeling that “the corporate hates us.”

Ador’s present CEO Kim Joo-young was additionally known as to testify.

He mentioned he believed Haney’s story of being shunned by one other band’s supervisor however “couldn’t discover supporting proof”.

He advised the committee that CCTV footage of the incident had expired earlier than he had an opportunity to make a request.

“I imagine I did the whole lot I may, however to see Haney really feel this manner and for the scenario to escalate so far makes me surprise if there’s extra I may have performed,” he added.

Kim additionally mentioned he would cooperate with South Korea’s Labor Ministry’s investigation into the incident.

The story captured the eye of Korean media and Okay-pop followers, and NewJeans have turn out to be one of many brightest new acts within the style.

With lovely pop songs reminiscent of “Tremendous Shy”, “OMG” and “Supernatural”, they grew to become the eighth best-selling band on the planet final yr and have been nominated for Greatest Group at this yr’s MTV Awards.

Fashioned by Ador in 2022, the 5 members are Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein, ranging in age from 16 to twenty years outdated.

Regardless of the behind-the-scenes drama, they continued to launch and carry out music.

A part of that’s as a result of they’ve a seven-year contract that expires in 2029.

Korean pop music information web site Koreaboo Members are expected to pay approximately 300 billion won (roughly £170 million) early termination of the contract.

Haney ended Tuesday’s assembly by expressing her frustration at how the interior dispute has overshadowed her band’s profession.

“Lots of people are fearful about us,” she mentioned, wiping tears.

“Some followers apologized for placing us via this, however I am grateful that Korea allowed me to do what I like.

“It’s irritating to me that individuals who needs to be apologizing are avoiding accountability.”