NewJeans’ Hanni Faces Backlash for Anti-Korean Remarks

NewJeans member Hanni is under fire after making remarks perceived as anti-Korean. The public’s view of the group has become increasingly unfavorable in recent months.

The 20-year-old K-pop star recently criticized the K-pop industry in an interview with TIME Magazine. Some online users are suggesting that her comments are hypocritical, claiming she only spoke out after leaving her agency, ADOR.

During her interview, Hanni shared,

There is just a very structural problem in K-pop in general, where companies don’t really view their artists as actual human beings and rather see them as products.

Hanni

Since her interview with TIME Magazine, she has received a lot of hate with fans leaving comments such as

“She never said that until AFTER NewJeans got dropped from HYBE…”

“As if you didn’t know that before joining, why did you?”

“That’s so true but ironic she’s being that product for Min Hee Jin”

“These girls are being promoted as the face of mistreatment when they have been given everything on a silver platter”

“So she and her team will slander other groups and hangout with problematic people to make that point known”

“She’s acting like someone held her down and made her sign a Kpop contract”

More recently, another NewJeans member Danielle revealed the strict rules she followed during her trainee days. She had to notify staff before using the bathroom, even during her free time. She was constantly monitored in the practice room, and had to send photos of her meals to her manager for approval before eating.

Netizens were also unhappy with Danielle’s comments, questioning why she is not criticizing Min Hee Jin, the former CEO of ADOR, for these strict rules.

NewJeans has been carrying out activities independently without using the name “NewJeans” since parting ways with ADOR on November 29. Their scheduled activities with the label ended with their appearance at the Golden Disc Awards in January.

The group announced their new stage name NJZ on February 7 and launched social media accounts. They applied to secure trademark rights for the new name on February 6. Their parents have opened a separate Instagram account to share updates on the ongoing dispute with ADOR.

On March 7, NewJeans members, Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein arrived at the court hearing for an injunction filed by ADOR in January. They donned black outfits and accused the agency of discrimination. ADOR refuted their claims by stating that they fulfilled all the obligations and gave a 5 billion won settlement payment to each member.

Meanwhile, ADOR has secured temporary victory as the court granted an injunction on Friday, March 21. They prohibited the group members from using the new stage name and carrying out entertainment activities independently. Despite the court order, they are teasing the release of new songs through NJZ’s social media accounts. They are ordered to perform at ComplexCon Hong Kong today under their original name NewJeans.