(Image via celebconfirmed.com & voguehk.com / Pham Hanni & NewJeans Members)

Staff Photographer: Katelyn Pereira

Email: kpereira18@umassd.edu 

Global K-pop sensation Pham Hanni from the girl group NewJeans testified on October 14 at the South Korea National Assembly meeting against workplace harassment and bullying within the entertainment industry. She spoke about allegations between herself and their recently appointed ADOR CEO, Kim Joo-Young.

The testimonies revealed unsettling details about the treatment of K-pop artists in a competitive and high-pressure environment, raising questions about labor rights, workplace safety, and the responsibilities of these entertainment companies.

In a live guerrilla stream on YouTube posted on September 11, Hanni and her fellow NewJeans members expressed concerns about potential bullying within HYBE. Hanni revealed that she overheard a manager from another HYBE label “ignoring” her. The group reported the incident to Kim Joo-young but claimed no action was taken.

The hearing began with Ahn Ho-young, a committee member, questioning Hanni about her experiences at ADOR. Hanni recounted being ignored by staff members since her debut, emphasizing that the bullying was not isolated. 

Although she reported these incidents, ADOR dismissed her claims, citing insufficient evidence from limited CCTV footage. Hanni raised concerns about missing footage and inconsistencies in ADOR’s responses, calling for a resolution to the mistreatment she and others experienced.

Recalling the event, Hanni shared, “I was on the floor of the HYBE building where we get our hair and makeup done. It was during university festival season, and I was preparing for an appearance at Pusan National University. I had finished getting ready ahead of everyone else and was waiting in the hallway.”

“Then, three members from another label’s group passed by with their manager. I greeted them, but they walked by again about 5 to 10 minutes later. As the manager made eye contact with me, she told the others, ‘Just ignore her, pretend you didn’t see her.’ I couldn’t understand why I had to go through this. But it wasn’t just a one-time issue. If I didn’t speak out, it would quietly be overlooked. This is something that could happen to anyone. I came forward because I don’t want others to experience the same thing.” 

She explained that this was her reason for testifying at the National Assembly hearing.

Kim Joo-young revealed that she first became aware of the issue on June 13 through Hanni’s parents. Following this, she initiated a review of CCTV footage and called for an investigation despite the fact that the manager involved belonged to a different company. 

However, Kim noted that the investigation led to conflicting accounts and ultimately lacked conclusive evidence.

Ahn Ho-young pressed the CEO about ADOR’s workplace harassment policies as outlined in HYBE’s 2023 Sustainability Report, questioning if these policies extend to artists like Hanni. While she acknowledged that artists are not classified as employees, Kim Joo-young emphasized ADOR’s commitment to fostering a respectful environment. 

Despite this, Ahn Ho-young pointed out that Hanni felt her concerns were inadequately addressed, leading the CEO to concede that more could have been done at the time.

Hanni stressed the importance of taking immediate action rather than merely discussing future improvements. The CEO responded by recognizing her concerns and pledging to grow communication with artists, stating that “verifying the facts was crucial” for addressing the ongoing situation. 

The exchange highlighted a significant disconnect between the company’s policies and the experiences of its artists. Hanni’s desire for changes rather than reassurances underscored the urgent need for companies in the entertainment industry to prioritize the well-being of their artists.

The complexities surrounding workplace classifications were further explored when Kim Hyung-dong, a member of the national assembly, raised questions about the distinctions between different types of workers in the entertainment industry. He noted that income levels should not dictate worker status. He explained the importance of understanding actual working conditions rather than solely relying on contractual agreements.

The discourse took a critical turn as Kim Joo-young was interrogated about missing CCTV footage related to the harassment claims. Despite efforts to secure footage, Kim Joo-young admitted that only limited footage was available, raising questions about the thoroughness of the investigation.

Both Kim Joo-young and Pham Hanni expressed hope for positive change within the company and the industry as a whole. Kim committed to addressing the concerns raised during the session, underscoring the need to protect the rights of artists like Hanni. 

Hanni, in turn, expressed gratitude for the attention given to workplace bullying and emphasized the importance of mutual respect among colleagues.

Chairman Ahn Ho-young concluded the session by urging HYBE to lead by example and foster a respectful environment for all employees. The hearing served not only as a platform for Hanni to voice her struggles but also as a crucial step toward reforming workplace standards in the K-pop industry.

Hanni concluded Tuesday’s session by expressing her frustration at how the dispute had overshadowed her group and NewJeans’ career. “A lot of people have been worried about us,” she said tearfully.

“Some fans apologized for making us go through this, but I’m grateful to Korea for allowing me to do what I love. The ones who should be apologizing are avoiding responsibility, and that frustrates me.”