BREAKING NEWS MHJ Resigns From Ador + Hanni looses bullying case

[RussianRoulette]

It has just been announced that MHJ is no longer fighting to stay in Ador, she is resigning and will be fighting other legal battles with them.

Here is her full statement, translation is from Twitter:​

Hello, this is Min Hee-jin.

Today, I am resigning from my position as an internal director at ADOR.

Additionally, I am terminating the shareholder agreement I had with HYBE and intend to hold HYBE legally accountable for its violations of the agreement.

Furthermore, I will be pursuing legal action step by step against HYBE and its affiliates for numerous illegal activities.

Over the past seven months, I have been engaged in a nightmarish dispute with HYBE that began with their illegal audits in April. During this time, I have done everything within my power to honor the shareholder agreement and restore ADOR to its original state before April. However, since HYBE has shown no signs of acknowledging their wrongdoing or changing their behavior, I have concluded that continuing my efforts would only be a waste of time.

I had hoped that HYBE would admit their mistakes and worked tirelessly to protect NewJeans from the distorted environment within the company. That was why I sent two whistleblowing emails in April.

However, HYBE not only failed to reflect on their actions but also fabricated outrageous falsehoods, showcasing their disgraceful and illegal audits to the public—a foolishness that is unprecedented. They framed me, a minority shareholder and CEO, as attempting a "management takeover" and launched irrational, ignorant, and nonsensical attacks that are unbecoming of a major corporation.

After enduring countless struggles over seven long months, it has finally been revealed that my whistleblowing was based on clear facts and was a rightful action. At the same time, HYBE’s despicable lies and hypocrisy are being exposed one after another.

From the beginning, HYBE likely knew that the contents of my whistleblowing were entirely true and that my actions were legitimate. However, for those who prioritize their own interests and gains above all else, solving the issue at its core was likely the most inconvenient task to face.

While I didn’t expect them to repent, I had naively believed they would have at least a basic sense of conscience as human beings. It seems I was mistaken.

Just as clinging to life doesn't necessarily mean truly living, I had no desire to align myself with this twisted organization driven solely by financial interests.

HYBE, even recently, continued their hypocritical and contradictory behavior—using its subsidiary labels to file baseless lawsuits and unfairly manipulate the media to bury me, while simultaneously presenting a producer delegation contract filled with toxic clauses as if they were doing me a great favor.

They proposed discussing the roles and responsibilities (R&R) essential to the delegation agreement but absurdly demanded pre-forensic consent and confidentiality agreements before such discussions, all while refusing to provide the R&R document itself. Despite having unilaterally removed me from my position, they spread false information to the media claiming I stepped down to focus on producing, while hypocritically insisting on “confidentiality” from others.

The atrocities committed by HYBE in 2024 will be remembered as an unprecedented scandal in K-pop history.

Over the past seven months, I have fought with everything I had—mentally, financially, and physically—to recover ADOR, which had been damaged due to HYBE’s severe violations of the shareholder agreement.

It was a hellish battle against groundless violence by a conglomerate hiding behind the facade of a major corporation, but I did not back down and persevered with unrelenting effort.

HYBE’s moral depravity has reached its peak, and while their dirty media tactics may continue, I believe the public has already begun to see through their patterns, so I am not concerned.

Nevertheless, if any forces attempt to falsely accuse or defame me, I will respond with firm legal action.

Although this unprecedented incident is not yet over, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Bunnies and everyone who has tirelessly supported and encouraged me throughout this nearly half-year-long ordeal.

Ironically, through this fight with the worst company, I have had the fortune to meet some of the best people.

Some may not understand why I endured this battle for so long, but there is a reason and meaning behind the existence of someone like me in this world.

I hope you will also show interest in the new K-pop journey I will embark on in the future.

I end this statement with a sense of relief, sharing these words:

"No industry’s essence should ever be tarnished by the malicious actions of an individual. What happened was truly wrong."​

Article Source

She has also unfollowed New Jeans and Ador on social media.

Additionally, it was also just announced that the trial for Hanni’s workplace bullying case has reached a verdict.

The court’s have concluded that Hanni’s situation does not constitute workplace bullying due to the nature of her contract.

Here is a translation of the court’s announcement from Twitter:​

Due to the content and nature of the management contract signed by Hanni, it is difficult to consider her as a worker under the Labor Standards Act, which provides work for wages in a use-subordination relationship.”​

Here is more from the quote that was not translated:​

It is difficult to see that there was a command and supervision of the management because it was only a relationship in which each other carried out their respective contractual obligations in the status of the contract parties to equal. The point that there is no fixed working hours or place of work and the commuting time cannot be determined. The point that each person bears the tax and pays business income tax, not earned income tax. The point that the in-house norms, system or system such as company employment rules applied to general employees is not applied.​

Article Source

My understand is, aside from her not being considered an ordinary worker, since greeting others is not legally a workplace requirement it can’t be considered bullying? Cause it’s a social obligation not a company rule?​

 

[Chiharu]

Probably preparing to open up a new company for NJ to join

 

[RussianRoulette]

Probably preparing to open up a new company for NJ to join

Not for awhile I assume unless someone else makes the company and hires her later on,

MHJ signed a non-compete so she needs to fight that in court before her and NJ can start a new company.

 

[Chiharu]

Also, Hanni may have lost her case, but Hybe was exposed for their slandering of dozens of groups and idols as a result of it, so certainly not a complete loss for her or NJ's

 

[RussianRoulette]

Also, Hanni may have lost her case, but Hybe was exposed for their slandering of dozens of groups and idols as a result of it, so certainly not a complete loss for her or NJ's

Not a loss in that sense, but her loosing this bullying case really isn’t going to help them in court when they inevitably leave Ador soon. They can’t use this bullying case as an excuse of violation of the contract now.

 

[hatmixx]

New jeans rebrand incoming

 

[RussianRoulette]

New jeans rebrand incoming

New (er) Jeans

 

[fromisJelly]

Reading what MHJ wrote make me want to puke. HYBE is a horrible company, but MHJ herself isn't a saint.

My understand is, aside from her not being considered an ordinary worker, since greeting others is not legally a workplace requirement it can’t be considered bullying? Cause it’s a social obligation not a company rule?​

Personally I always thought that this is ridiculous to the max.

It might be disrespect, but to call being ignored as bullying is such a big slap to those who are victims of real bullying. And the fact that this was bring up to the parliament make me roll my eyes. Just politicians trying to make use of it to earn brownie points

 

[melon bear]

Reading what MHJ wrote make me want to puke. HYBE is a horrible company, but MHJ herself isn't a saint.




Personally I always thought that this is ridiculous to the max.

It might be disrespect, but to call being ignored as bullying is such a big slap to those who are victims of real bullying. And the fact that this was bring up to the parliament make me roll my eyes. Just politicians trying to make use of it to earn brownie points

What constitutes as a good threshold for bullying for you?

 

[tokki]

Reading what MHJ wrote make me want to puke. HYBE is a horrible company, but MHJ herself isn't a saint.




Personally I always thought that this is ridiculous to the max.

It might be disrespect, but to call being ignored as bullying is such a big slap to those who are victims of real bullying. And the fact that this was bring up to the parliament make me roll my eyes. Just politicians trying to make use of it to earn brownie points

Yeah, she had a great opportunity given to her where she could have shed some light on the awful side of the industry that trainees and debuted idols have to deal with, and maybe there could have been some deeper conversations about protections for these artists.

Instead...all that got brought up was one isolated incident that even Hanni herself can't seem to keep the details consistent about...

(for the record I'm not really implying that she is lying, but it's not helpful to anyone here if the details are not kept clear)

 

[Chiharu]

Honestly, whether ppl think the ignoring incident counts as bullying or not, good on nj's for not rolling over and staying silent, cause if they did, that stuff would have just continued to happen. Idols being scared to speak up about shitty treatment is why it continues to happen. People may think they're dumb and have no idea what they're doing, but going off that speech they made, it seems to me that they're well aware that trying to break their contracts with hybe might completely end their careers as idols. If that's something they're willing to accept, then clearly the situation is serious to them

 

[melon bear]

Yeah, she had a great opportunity given to her where she could have shed some light on the awful side of the industry that trainees and debuted idols have to deal with, and maybe there could have been some deeper conversations about protections for these artists.

Instead...all that got brought up was one isolated incident that even Hanni herself can't seem to keep the details consistent about...

(for the record I'm not really implying that she is lying, but it's not helpful to anyone here if the details are not kept clear)

Which the criticism would have morphed into her staying off-topic and showing less credibility? I don't see where they could have made any positive moves under these conditions?

 

[RussianRoulette]

Which the criticism would have morphed into her staying off-topic and showing less credibility? I don't see where they could have made any positive moves under these conditions?

Yeah, she had a great opportunity given to her where she could have shed some light on the awful side of the industry that trainees and debuted idols have to deal with, and maybe there could have been some deeper conversations about protections for these artists.

Instead...all that got brought up was one isolated incident that even Hanni herself can't seem to keep the details consistent about...

(for the record I'm not really implying that she is lying, but it's not helpful to anyone here if the details are not kept clear)

The moms claimed they had evidence of their terrible roach and mold infested dorms from when they were under Hybe, and evidence of other mistreatments they apparently had as trainees. They threatened “oh, should we reveal this?” But never did for some reason.

I wonder if the moms did drop it (assuming they had the actual evidence) if they could have brought this up?

 

[fromisJelly]

What constitutes as a good threshold for bullying for you?

Definitely not being ignored.

 

[UMJI MOODS]

Since mhj had 7 months to remove 20k pages of reports and likely much more dirt I suspect hybe might come crashing to earth if they put her in a corner now that she is no longer an employee.

Hanni did not in fact lose a court case. She was asked to testify to the National Assembly which she did voluntarily. The National Assembly asked that the Ministry of Employment and Labor look into it. They determined that as a kpop idol she nor any of our favorite stars are entitled to protection against bullying in the workplace that regular contract workers are entitled to.

 

[melon bear]

The moms claimed they had evidence of their terrible roach and mold infested dorms from when they were under Hybe, and evidence of other mistreatments they apparently had as trainees. They threatened “oh, should we reveal this?” But never did for some reason.

I wonder if the moms did drop it (assuming they had the actual evidence) if they could have brought this up?

I feel like a moving goalpost is a moving goalpost, if I'm being honest. This doesn't even dispute my point. As a genuine third part who could give fuck all about New Jeans or Illit, I find this situation very strange.

Definitely not being ignored.

That's fair.

I do want to say one final thing on this (I can't lie, I think I've lost interest.) I think there is an underlying issue here that highlights some really messed up power dynamics. However, it is not just with the companies but with the fans/public as well.

 

[Chiharu]

You know, before this whole mess, I didn't care at all about new jeans. The only song of theirs I listened to was hype boy (a bop). But I've been praying on hybe's downfall for so long this whole situation has made me a fan. If they ever re-debut, I'll be sure to stan (don't get it twisted though, I actually do want the best for those girls. I'm not just siding with them bc I hate hybe)

 

[RussianRoulette]

Definitely not being ignored.

Something I just want to chime in:

I think one of the biggest issues in this bullying case was that in the end, Hanni wasn’t actually ignored. The manager told illit to ignore her, but there’s literally cctv that illit still bowed to her anyway both times in the hallway.

I think being ignored can count as being bullied, I know how it feels to be ostracized and it hurts.

I just think this argument was hard to fight because she’s complaining that illit was told to ignore her but illit seemingly didn’t ignore her.

 

[tokki]

The moms claimed they had evidence of their terrible roach and mold infested dorms from when they were under Hybe, and evidence of other mistreatments they apparently had as trainees. They threatened “oh, should we reveal this?” But never did for some reason.

I wonder if the moms did drop it (assuming they had the actual evidence) if they could have brought this up?

Yeah, this is exactly what I was referring to. They would have a lot of outstanding evidence of real mistreatment going on that could have been an additional piece of evidence for the bigger story about how HYBE has failed to protect these girls (and other artists/trainees, too) in multiple ways, for years.

But for reasons unknown to us, those incidents haven't really been talked about much at all (even outside of the NA stuff) except for in the earlier days of this whole saga.

 

[melon bear]

You know, before this whole mess, I didn't care at all about new jeans. The only song of theirs I listened to was hype boy (a bop). But I've been praying on hybe's downfall for so long this whole situation has made me a fan. If they ever re-debut, I'll be sure to stan (don't get it twisted though, I actually do want the best for those girls. I'm not just siding with them bc I hate hybe)

Dives infesting New Jeans threads

But I get you. I think we just see the hostile power for what it is.