NewJeans Hani: "I Will Attend the National Assembly Audit Alone... Don't Worry"

"Thank You to Everyone Cheering Us On"
"It Will Be a Learning Experience"

NewJeans member Hani has expressed her intention to appear as a witness at the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee's audit on the 15th to address the issue of 'idol bullying and workplace harassment.'

NewJeans' Hanni is posing at the photo wall commemorating the 'Everyday Hyundai' promotion held on August 1st in the afternoon at Hyundai Department Store Duty Free Shop Dongdaemun Branch in Jung-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the night of the 9th, Hani stated through the group's communication app 'Poning,' "I've decided. I will go to the National Assembly," adding, "I will attend the audit alone." She reassured fans by saying, "You don't need to worry," and explained, "I am going for myself and the members. Also, I decided to go for 'Bunnies' (NewJeans fandom)." She added, "My manager and the company (agency) don't know yet," and said, "I've thought about it a lot, but I believe going is the right thing to do."

Hani also said, "I wanted to tell Bunnies first," and shared, "Through this incident, I have learned a lot, and I am truly grateful to those who support us. I think supporting or standing by someone's side is not an easy thing, and we didn't even ask for it, so I appreciate it." She emphasized, "I don't know how it will turn out, but I believe it will be a valuable learning experience for me," and vowed, "I will protect NewJeans and Bunnies."

Earlier, Hani claimed that the manager of Aileat, a group under Belift Lab (a label under HYBE), told her to "ignore" her, alleging that she was being bullied within the agency. Belift Lab responded by stating, "The Aileat staff member (manager in charge of protocol) has never said 'ignore' regarding NewJeans members," and "Aileat members have never passed by NewJeans members without greeting them." As the controversy grew, Hani was selected as a witness for the audit, and Kim Ju-young, CEO of Adore, the agency, was also summoned as a witness on the same day.

Meanwhile, Adore, a label under HYBE, held a board meeting in August where former CEO Min Hee-jin was dismissed, and Kim Ju-young, an internal director at Adore, was appointed as the new CEO. In response, NewJeans members expressed their hope for Min's return during a YouTube live broadcast last month.