NewJeans issued an ultimatum to HYBE, publicly demanding the reinstatement of former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin.
On the afternoon of the 11th, NewJeans held a live broadcast through their YouTube channel. Minji, Hani, Danielle, Hyein, and Haerin appeared before the camera with somber expressions, conveying their stance for about 30 minutes.
First, Hyein began by saying, "Some of you Bunnies (the fandom name) might be surprised by this sudden event, but we prepared this to convey our thoughts and opinions on the matter."
They explained why they decided to conduct the live broadcast. "Even though it hasn't been long since our CEO was dismissed, it was extremely hard to see many people who had been working with us suffering under unfair demands and pressure," they said.
"We were worried about our future as five members. We had meetings with the current management and shared our opinions, but it didn't seem like our desires were clearly communicated, and it felt like there was a communication blockage." (NewJeans)
Minji mentioned former CEO Min Hee-jin. "There were various issues, even before our debut and up until now. However, we enjoyed working with the CEO, and because all the members felt the same, we could prepare well and promote successfully," she said.
Haerin shared, "There were so many unreasonable things even after our debut. Personal records like trainee footage and medical records were leaked. It was really incomprehensible that the company could not manage and leaked such materials."
She continued, "We requested protection from HYBE along with our parents and CEO Min, but HYBE ignored it, and in the meantime, our CEO was dismissed. We were at a loss as to who to trust and rely on in the future. After much thought and decision, we gained the courage to speak out."
NewJeans shared some of the injustices they faced. Hani said, "Recently, I ran into other team members and a manager in the corridor on the fourth floor of HYBE. The manager told the others to 'ignore' me, loud enough for me to hear."
However, the company took no action. "We told the new CEO about it, but they said there was no evidence and it was too late, trying to brush it off. Honestly, it made me feel like I was suddenly a liar," she said.
They revealed their fears about the current situation. "Now, there is no one to protect us, and it is a very difficult situation. We are worried about the future, but it is also scary that the work we have built so far is being threatened."
They also mentioned Shin Woo-seok, the head of Dolphin Kidnap. Minji emphasized, "Please respect and treat the directors we worked with honorably. What is being done now is absolutely not for us."
Daniel said, "Our dream was to perform on stage with the music we wanted to make with CEO Min. We were working so hard for that. Now, we can't do it anymore. We might not even be able to achieve the plans we set."
She continued to address HYBE, "We were merely working hard for our dream; did we do something wrong?" She raised her voice, saying, "You just seem like an inhumane company. Please stop bothering our CEO Min Hee-jin from a humane standpoint."
Haerin said, "We almost lost works symbolizing the relationship between NewJeans and Bunnies. We don't want to lose anything else. We don't want to conform, sympathize, or follow the society those people belong to."
They mentioned CEO Min's dismissal again. Hyein said, "We learned about it through an article that day. It was so sudden and unimaginable. Honestly, it was extremely difficult and confusing. We felt no consideration for us."
In conclusion, Minji said, "For half a year, unnecessary and exhausting things about NewJeans have been constantly ongoing. It makes us very uncomfortable as the ones involved. What we want is the original ADOR, where CEO Min is the CEO encompassing both management and producing."
NewJeans concluded the live broadcast by saying, "HYBE is an inhumane company. What can we learn from it? Chairman Bang Si-hyuk and HYBE, please make the wise decision to restore ADOR to its original state by the 25th. Thank you for listening to our story."
<Photo source=YouTube>
