The National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee has named Hanni, a member of the popular K-pop girl group NewJeans, as a reference witness in its ongoing investigation into workplace harassment within the Korean Pop entertainment industry.
This decision follows Hanni's recent allegations that a manager from another group in her agency instructed their members to ignore her after she offered a friendly greeting. The committee's inquiry aims to tackle pressing issues related to workplace harassment and bullying in the entertainment sector.
According to KTimes, during a recent general meeting, the committee selected a total of 35 witnesses, including reference witnesses, for the upcoming national audit, scheduled for October 25. Rep. An Ho-young, the committee chairman and a member of the opposition Democratic Party of Korea, specifically requested Hanni's appearance to discuss the troubling events of bullying and harassment in the music industry. This session will focus on the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Economic, Social and Labor Council.
Hanni has previously shared her experiences of alleged harassment during a YouTube livestream on September 11. She revealed that she has faced unfair treatment from both HYBE and its employees since a public dispute arose between HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk and former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin. In her account, she recounted a particularly disheartening incident in which she greeted members of another group in a makeup room, only to have their manager publicly tell them to disregard her. Reflecting on the experience, Hanni expressed her bewilderment, stating, “I still don't understand why I had to go through that”.
In response to the situation, fans of NewJeans have taken action by filing complaints with both the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the civil rights organization Workplace Gapjil 119. They argue that Hanni's experience constitutes harassment that goes beyond acceptable workplace behaviour.
It's important to note that Hanni is not legally obligated to testify as a reference witness. According to the National Assembly Act on Testimony and Appraisal, even if selected, witnesses can opt out of attending if they provide a valid reason for their absence. Unlike official witnesses, who may face penalties for not appearing without justification, reference witnesses are not subjected to such consequences.
