NewJeans fans file complaint against HYBE, Source Music
K-pop quintet girl group NewJeans / Yonhap
By KTimes
Devotees accuse management agency of defamation, breach of privacy
NewJeans’ fan base, Bunnies, has filed a complaint with the police against HYBE, its subsidiary Source Music (which manages the group Le Sserafim), and an online entertainment media outlet, signaling a potential escalation in the legal conflict between HYBE and former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin.
The law firm Opes, representing Team Bunnies, filed a complaint with the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul, Monday, accusing HYBE, Source Music, and the media outlet, Dispatch, of privacy breaches and defamation through leaked information and articles.
They have alleged violations of the Personal Information Protection Act and the Information and Communications Network Act.
The Bunnies claim that HYBE and Source Music illegally collected and leaked personal information related to Min Hee-jin and NewJeans, which Dispatch allegedly used to write its articles.
On Tuesday, Bunnies also released a statement urging Ador’s board and HYBE to stop actions that damage NewJeans’ achievements or hinder their future activities.
They said that NewJeans is at a pivotal moment, preparing for follow-up albums and a world tour next year after completing their activities in Japan. The statement criticized HYBE's claim of separating Ador’s management and production from NewJeans, and the decision to dismiss Min, arguing that these actions are merely excuses to exclude her from involvement in NewJeans-related work.
They called on HYBE to make wise decisions to prevent any disruption or change to NewJeans’ music and entertainment activities.
On Monday, about a week after the dismissal of Min as CEO of Ador, NewJeans' members Minji and Danielle broke their silence, expressing concerns and emotional distress over the ongoing turmoil within their agency.
They shared their feelings on a fan communication platform, voicing their anxieties about the uncertainties surrounding the recent events, including the change in leadership.
Former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin / Korea Times file
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.