K-pop Star Hanni’s Harrowing Testimony of Workplace Harassment Rocks South Korea’s K-pop Industry
In a tearful testimony to South Korean lawmakers, 20-year-old K-pop star Hanni, a member of the chart-topping group NewJeans, has shed light on the dark side of the K-pop industry, revealing a culture of workplace harassment and bullying. The allegations come as a dispute between her management team and her super producer, Min Hee-jin, continues to unfold.
The K-pop industry, which has become a global phenomenon, is known for imposing strict standards and controls on its young stars, with many reporting receiving extreme backlash from fans over perceived mistakes in their personal lives, such as dating. Hanni, who is Vietnamese-Australian, testified that she was instructed by a manager to be ignored by another idol group’s members, sparking outrage and concern about the treatment of K-pop idols.
The alleged event occurred amid a boardroom drama between NewJeans’ producer and mastermind Min Hee-jin and HYBE, the South Korean agency that manages popular boy band BTS. HYBE had filed a legal complaint against Min for breach of trust in business, leading to his replacement as ADOR’s president in August. During a livestream, all NewJeans’ members demanded that Min be reinstated as ADOR’s CEO, emphasizing the unfair treatment they have received from HYBE, including discrediting their performance in Japan.
Hanni’s testimony, given to the parliamentary committee overseeing workplace conditions and safety, highlighted the need for change in the K-pop industry, which has long been plagued by allegations of mistreatment and exploitation. With multiple court cases ongoing, the drama has sent shockwaves through the industry, with fans and colleagues eagerly following the developments.
In her moving testimony, Hanni expressed her gratitude for the attention the issue has received, hoping that her fellow K-pop stars and trainees won’t have to endure similar treatment. As the K-pop industry grapples with its dark underbelly, one thing is clear: it’s time for change.
