Hanni's Harassment Shock: HYBE Under Fire After Missing CCTV Footage
On October 6, the mothers of NewJeans members expressed deep concerns about HYBE's investigation into an incident involving member Hanni. The issue came to light after Hanni was selected as a reference in the National Assembly audit on workplace harassment. The mothers raised suspicions about the concealment of surveillance footage, which could have shown evidence of Hanni being ignored by another artist and their team.
During an interview with Ilgan Sports, the mothers revealed that ADOR CEO Kim Joo Young claimed the footage showing Hanni being bullied had disappeared. This revelation left the mothers shocked and frustrated.
Missing Surveillance Footage Raises Alarms
One of the key concerns raised by NewJeans’ mothers was the missing surveillance footage. Hanni’s mother questioned, “How can the footage showing Hanni greeting the other group members remain, but the footage that might have captured the problematic ‘ignore her’ moment be deleted?”
The incident occurred at HYBE’s building, where Hanni greeted another artist. However, when she encountered them again, their manager reportedly told the team to ignore her. Feeling wronged, Hanni reported the matter to ADOR's new CEO, but her complaint went unheard. The National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee then selected ADOR CEO Kim Jooyoung as a witness, with Hanni as a reference.
Concerns Over HYBE’s Investigation
The mothers have repeatedly expressed their confusion and frustration over how HYBE has handled the situation. One mother explained that they raised concerns with CEO Kim Jooyoung but were met with delays. After months of waiting, the mothers were informed that the crucial CCTV footage had been erased.
The mothers questioned why only specific parts of the footage remained. One mother stated, “They showed us an 8-second clip of Hanni greeting another artist but claimed that the footage from the same timeframe, involving the artist and manager, was deleted. Why would they only keep the part that doesn’t cause a problem?”
Tensions Rise Between Mothers and HYBE
Tensions between the mothers and HYBE management have escalated as the investigation drags on. One mother mentioned how the security team blamed a superior for the missing footage, while the superior blamed an individual who had already resigned. This left the mothers feeling further frustrated and suspicious about the company's intentions.
In a meeting on September 23, CEO Kim Joo Young reportedly told Hanni that the CCTV footage may not have been saved due to a lack of sound, making it hard to identify key moments. However, the mothers disagreed, arguing that gestures and atmosphere could still provide context, even without audio.
Fear for the Future
The mothers expressed their concerns about their children's well-being within HYBE. They fear that such incidents could be covered up over time, leaving them anxious about their children's safety and emotional health. They added that despite multiple complaints and discussions with ADOR's new management, there has been little progress.
One mother said, “Falsehoods can’t last forever, so even if not immediately, we believe the truth will come to light.”
HYBE’s Response
In response to the concerns raised by the mothers, a HYBE representative stated, "We are thoroughly verifying the facts related to this matter."Hanni's Harassment Shock: HYBE Under Fire After Missing CCTV Footage
