NewJeans' Hanni Decides to Appear Solo at Parliamentary Audit...
"For Bunnies and the Members"

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NewJeans member Hanni has sparked headlines by announcing her decision to attend a parliamentary audit alone.

On October 9th, Hanni revealed this decision to fans through a communication platform.

A parliamentary audit is a procedure in which the National Assembly reviews the state of government operations annually during the regular session.

This is an important process that allows the National Assembly to monitor and check the executive branch.

Through these audits, the National Assembly can point out issues with government policies and suggest improvements.

If necessary, it can call for legal amendments or propose new policies.

Hanni stated,

"Bunnies (NewJeans' fandom), I've decided. I’m going to appear before the National Assembly. Parliamentary audit! I'll be going alone," explaining that this decision was made for herself, her members, and her fans. She added, "My managers and the company don’t know yet. I’ve thought about it a lot, and I believe it’s the right thing to do."

Hanni's attendance at the audit is related to allegations of workplace harassment raised during an emergency live broadcast by NewJeans on September 11th. During the broadcast, Hanni claimed she overheard a manager from another idol group instruct others to "ignore" her.

In response, NewJeans' agency ADOR’s parent company HYBE Labels denied the accusations, calling them "unfounded personnel rumors."

The National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee is scheduled to question ADOR’s CEO Kim Ju-young as a witness, with Hanni attending as a reference witness on October 15th.

This is part of the parliamentary audit’s role in addressing social issues, including examining the working conditions in the entertainment industry and protecting artists' rights.

Hanni also expressed her deep gratitude to fans.

"You have no idea how much strength your support gives me... I’ve learned a lot from going through this incident, but the most important thing is to thank those who are cheering me on."

She added, "I will protect NewJeans and Bunnies," showing strong determination.

Meanwhile, on October 9th, the NewJeans fandom, Bunnies, announced that they would be filing charges against ADOR’s CEO Kim Ju-young and Vice President Lee Do-kyung for breach of duty and obstruction of business.

This action aims to protect NewJeans members who have been struggling due to the absence of accountability within the agency.

Hanni’s decision to attend the parliamentary audit marks an unprecedented move in the K-pop industry, as it will be the first time an idol group member testifies directly before the National Assembly. This highlights the audit’s ability to address important social issues beyond government entities.

Hanni’s decision is being viewed as a courageous act to bring public attention to industry issues by openly sharing her experience.

It also reflects a new trend where idol group members actively express their rights and opinions.

Fans and industry insiders are closely watching what Hanni’s testimony will reveal at the parliamentary audit and how this could impact the K-pop industry.

Furthermore, this incident is expected to spark more discussions on improving working conditions in the entertainment industry and protecting artists' rights.

As these issues are being addressed through an official platform like the parliamentary audit, the matter is likely to be elevated as a significant societal concern beyond the industry itself.