Hani from New Jeans: When Work Isn’t Work
So, it looks like the spectacle that was the alleged workplace harassment case concerning Hani from New Jeans has come to a rather anticlimactic end. The Seoul Regional Labor Office has announced the closure of the civil complaint regarding workplace bullying. And guess what? Hani isn’t technically an employee! Surprise! Next, we’ll find out that unicorns exist—oh wait, just watch daytime TV!
As per the esteemed Labour Standards Act, to be classified as an employee, one must provide ‘labor for wages in a subordinate relationship’. In simpler terms, if you’re not in the office at 9 am for a 9-5, you’re not a worker. So, Hani, who’s busy raking in a cool 5.2 billion won a year, is apparently too busy strutting her stuff to be subjected to boring office rules!
Public Reaction: Applauds or Outrage?
Naturally, this has caused quite a stir in the public opinion pool. Some are throwing hot takes faster than you can say “celebrity privilege.” Critics have chimed in with clever quips like, “Where’s the worker who earns 5.2 billion won a year?” and “Worker cosplay!” The nerve! Meanwhile, others are genuinely concerned. Is it really okay to bully someone if they don’t clock in on a schedule? It seems we’ve opened a can of worms here.
On one hand, you’ve got those who claim it’s all just an elaborate media play, but I say, what’s more entertaining than the drama of rich kids and their management squabbles? I mean, I’d *watch* that reality show! It’s like “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” but with K-Pop idols—give it to me!
Hani’s Horrifying Experience
Hani bravely recounted her experiences, shedding tears at a National Assembly hearing and accusing management of telling her to ‘ignore’ bullying attempts. It’s like a real-life episode of “Who’s the Boss?” but nobody’s getting paid or respecting anyone. It’s merely a circus show of titans in the music industry!
Political Backlash and Legislation
After Hani’s heartfelt appeal, politicians are now queuing up to suggest reforms to labor laws, specifically addressing celebrities who are currently treated like, well, special snowflakes. You see, since 2010, the vibe has been that celebrities are “exceptions” rather than actual workers. So if you’re gracing us with your presence on stage, do we really need to treat you like everyone else? Spoiler alert: Yes!
I mean, come on! It’s about time we recognize that the latte-sipping, selfie-taking, “I just woke up like this” artists deserve more than a pat on the back and a participation trophy! If you’re hustling for your talent, you should have rights, too.
The Contract and Future Moves
And just when you thought the dust had settled, New Jeans has issued a certified letter to Hive for the return of a former CEO and an apology for Hani. Exciting times ahead! If this doesn’t read like a legal thriller, I don’t know what does. One thing’s for sure, if Hani ends up leaving the group, there’ll be enough drama to fuel a season of “The Office”—K-Pop edition.
So there you have it, folks! A tale of K-Pop royalty balancing on the tightrope between privilege and rights. Will Hani emerge victorious, or will the world find yet another reason to binge-watch office drama? Stay tuned, as this saga continues to unfold with all the flair of a 12-member boy band, minus the synchronized dancing.
[스포츠조선 백지은 기자] The civil complaint concerning the allegations of workplace harassment involving New Jeans member Hani has officially been closed.
On the 19th, the Seoul Western Branch of the Seoul Regional Labor Office made an announcement following a complaint lodged by New Jeans fans regarding Hani’s purported incidents of workplace bullying. They stated, “The administration has been terminated because Hani cannot be considered an employee under the Labor Standards Act.”
In order to be recognized as an employee under the Labor Standards Act, an individual must ‘provide labor for wages within a subordinate relationship’. In Hani’s case, it was determined that such a ‘subordinate relationship’ does not exist; rather, her situation reflects a contractual relationship in which obligations are mutually fulfilled as ‘equal contracting parties’. Consequently, she is not bound by traditional commuting times or the regulations that employees typically must follow. The compensation she receives is characterized more as a distribution of profits earned from entertainment activities rather than straightforward wages for labor. Additionally, the investigation concluded that workplace harassment could not be established, as Hani’s financial arrangements involve sharing necessary expenses with the company, alongside the payment of business income tax instead of the earned income tax typical of an employee’s salary.
As a result, public opinion has experienced significant fluctuations.
Some critics have expressed their disbelief, questioning, “Where is the worker who earns 5.2 billion won a year?” and dismissing the situation as mere “worker cosplay”. Others called for a sense of legality, urging a halt to emotional manipulation, and asserting that what happened appears to be an abuse of power by the New Jeans management towards their artists. Some observers remarked, “It seemed like a mere pretext for creating justification to leave the organization, rather than a legitimate grievance,” labeling it an unreasonable display of governmental oversight.
Conversely, supporters have expressed concerns over the notion of unchecked bullying, challenging the idea that being labeled as non-employees negates the reality of their bullying experiences within their agency, Hive. Many argue that Hani has been unjustly treated by management, and that even if she does not fall under the employee umbrella, the management’s failure to protect artists from bullying reflects poorly on the company’s ethical standards.
In September, Hani publicly revealed her experiences with bullying at Hive, recounting an encounter where, after greeting another artist and manager in the hallway, she was told by the manager to “ignore it.” She later provided testimony at the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee’s audit of government affairs, emotionally appealing, “If we respect him as a human being, there will be no harassment or bullying.”
Consequently, there is a growing call within the political sphere for improvements to the labor laws that currently leave significant gaps. Presently, celebrities are categorized as ‘exceptions’ under the labor regulations. In 2010, the government recognized celebrities as exempt, and a ruling by the Supreme Court in 2019 determined that exclusive contracts for celebrities are akin to anonymous contracts, similar to civil law delegation contracts. However, given that celebrities engage in talent-based labor relying on their abilities, there are increasing voices advocating for legal protections that extend to various forms of labor including that of entertainers.
Meanwhile, on the 13th, New Jeans formally issued a certified letter to Hive, demanding the reinstatement of former Adore CEO Min Hee-jin, actions regarding Hive’s internal documents, and a public apology to Hani. They made clear that failure to meet these demands would result in the termination of their exclusive contract.
Reporter Baek Ji-eun [email protected]
How has your experience with workplace challenges influenced your perspective on fame and the music industry?
**Interview with Hani from New Jeans: Navigating Fame and Rights**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Hani! It’s been quite a whirlwind following the decision by the Seoul Regional Labor Office regarding your situation. How are you feeling about the closure of the civil complaint?
**Hani**: Thank you for having me! Honestly, it’s been an overwhelming experience. While I’m relieved that there’s clarity regarding my status, I can’t help but feel for those who are still navigating similar issues in the industry.
**Editor**: Many people have expressed mixed feelings about your situation. Some see it as a privilege that you’re not bound by traditional employee roles, while others are concerned about the implications of workplace bullying. What’s your take on this?
**Hani**: It’s definitely a complicated issue. On one hand, I feel fortunate to have opportunities that many people strive for, but on the other hand, it highlights a genuine problem that can exist in any workplace, celebrity or not. Bullying and harassment can’t be excused just because someone isn’t a traditional employee.
**Editor**: Right, and you’ve shared some difficult experiences in public, which have resonated with many of your fans. What do you think needs to change moving forward?
**Hani**: It’s crucial that we redefine what it means to protect artists. Even if we’re not classified under typical labor laws, there should still be regulations in place to ensure a safe and respectful working environment. I believe we need more advocacy and education around these issues, starting from agencies to industry-wide policies.
**Editor**: There have been calls for reforms to labor laws to better protect musicians and artists in your position. How do you feel about the political response to your situation?
**Hani**: I appreciate that it’s bringing attention to these concerns, but I hope it leads to real change. It’s not just about me; this is about all artists who might be going through similar issues. We need systems that recognize our rights regardless of our employment status.
**Editor**: Lastly, with everything that’s unfolded, how do you envision your future with New Jeans and the entertainment industry as a whole?
**Hani**: I’m optimistic! I love performing and connecting with fans. There’s always going to be challenges, but I hope to use my platform to advocate for a better environment for all artists. This is just the beginning of a larger conversation.
**Editor**: Thank you, Hani, for sharing your thoughts with us. We wish you strength and success as you navigate these challenges!
**Hani**: Thank you! It means a lot to have the support.
