Hanni from the K-Pop girl group NewJeans’ will testify before South Korea’s National Assembly audit on workplace bullying within the industry on October 25, the idol announced on Wednesday, October 9.
The 20-year-old idol announced on social media that she will be testifying before the South Korean parliament. She decided without consulting her managers and label, Ador.
"I believe going forward is the right thing to do, no matter how much I think about it," the idol wrote.
NewJeans’ label has been on hot waters since problems between HYBE and Ador blew up. Last month, the five members: Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyejin, went on an impromptu livestream to voice out their concerns and current workplace conditions. In a now-deleted YouTube video, the five members discussed how company employees deliberately ignored them and accused the company of workplace harassment.
Additionally, the members also expressed support for their CEO, Min Hee-Jin, who was previously removed from her position. The five members demanded that HYBE reinstate the former Ador CEO from her position.
However, the agency concerned reviewed the incident and concluded that no instructions to bully or ignore the members were given. Due to this, Belift Lab issued a public statement, addressing the presumed girl group identified by NewJeans members.
They said that the argument was flawed, adding that they had always asked their artists to treat fellow idols with respect and courtesy. However, the ‘fabricated issue’ had already escalated, even prompting the National Assembly to investigate.
The evident rift within the company got the South Korean Environment and Labour Committee’s attention and invited Hanni and Ador’s new chief executive, Kim Joo-Young to testify later this month.
Hanni assured fans that she will be doing it on her own accord and that they have nothing to worry about. Additionally, the singer said that she is doing it for herself, NewJeans, and Bunnies (their fans).
