K-pop Group New Jeans Announces Departure

K-pop Group Claims Workplace Harassment and Manipulation in Dispute with Ador Agency

K-pop group NewJeans has announced they are leaving their agency, Ador, accusing it of “mistreatment” and “manipulation.” The five-member group held a press conference on Thursday, revealing their decision to part ways with the agency. However, Ador maintains that the contract remains valid, as they have not breached any terms.

This dispute is part of a long-standing conflict between NewJeans’ former producer, Min Hee-Jin, and Hybe’s chairman, Bang Si-hyuk. One member, Hanni, has spoken out about experiencing workplace harassment at the label. She said the mistreatment extended beyond the group, affecting their staff as well.

Ador responded by saying the group’s claim does not provide valid grounds for terminating their contract. The agency expressed regret over the timing of the press conference, which took place before they had a chance to respond.

NewJeans has expressed a desire to work with Min, who left Ador in August after accusations that she planned to take the group independent of Hybe. She has denied these accusations and previously criticized Hybe for launching a new group, Illit, that she believes copies NewJeans’ style.

In November, NewJeans sent a legal notice to Ador, demanding that the company resolve contract breaches. If their demands were not met, the group warned they would seek to terminate their contracts. They also requested an apology for alleged workplace bullying and the reinstatement of Min.

The group had been committed to a seven-year contract, which runs until 2029, but disputes over the contract may lead to a legal battle. If the matter goes to court, a judge will decide whether the contract can be terminated and if any damages are owed. The group’s singer, Haerin, rejected the idea of paying a breach fee, insisting that Hybe and Ador were responsible for the situation.

Despite efforts to meet with the group, Ador stated that their attempts were unsuccessful and urged NewJeans to continue their collaboration on upcoming activities.

This latest development follows a series of controversies, including workplace harassment allegations. Hanni testified in October at South Korea’s National Assembly, claiming that senior managers at Hybe ignored her band and undermined their work. Following this, Hybe’s shares dropped by 4%.

Since debuting in 2022, NewJeans has become one of Hybe’s most successful K-pop groups, with hits like “Super Shy” and “OMG.” They were nominated for best group at this year’s MTV Awards and were the eighth biggest-selling act globally in 2023.