NewJeans fans are pressuring the National Assembly to summon HYBE executives, including Bang Si-hyuk, for the upcoming audit. They have sent numerous faxes and texts, demanding that HYBE’s internal disputes be addressed at the National Assembly. This action follows previous fan involvement, which led to Hanni being called as a witness in response to workplace bullying allegations.
NewJeans Fans Pressure HYBE and National Assembly Over Audit
NewJeans fans have been sending faxes and text messages to members of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee, demanding that HYBE executives, including Bang Sihyuk, appear for the upcoming National Assembly audit. These demands follow allegations of workplace bullying within NewJeans. After the bullying claims, the Environment and Labor Committee selected Hanni as a reference witness for the audit. The Culture Committee members are now receiving a flood of requests from fans to include HYBE executives in the audit.
HYBE Executives and National Assembly Targeted by NewJeans Fan Campaign
According to reports, NewJeans fans are urging the National Assembly to summon HYBE Chairman Bang Sihyuk and CEO Lee Jaesang. One committee member described receiving so many messages that their phone was overwhelmed. Fans have even sent over 300 faxes to committee offices to press for the inclusion of HYBE executives. These faxes highlight the deepening management dispute between HYBE and Min Heejin, CEO of ADOR, a HYBE subsidiary. Online communities are coordinating “fax bomb” campaigns, sharing committee office numbers.
Fans’ Influence on Hanni’s Role
The decision to call Hanni as a witness resulted from fan pressure. A Democratic Party official from the Environment and Labor Committee noted that individuals had submitted reports about NewJeans’ alleged workplace bullying. These individuals claimed to be delegates from specific regions. The official explained that they chose Hanni as a witness to address idol groups’ human rights, given the global popularity of K-pop.
Concerns Over K-pop’s Reputation
However, the Culture Committee is concerned that making this issue public might harm K-pop’s global image and restrict artists’ activities. A committee official stated that while fans are eager, witness selection has been finalized. They indicated that further discussions on adding witnesses could occur during the comprehensive audit sessions later in October.
Public Backlash Against Fan Actions
The news about NewJeans fans’ actions has sparked criticism, particularly among male online communities like MLBPARK. Some users described NewJeans’ fanbase as the “worst fandom,” mocking the idea of involving the National Assembly in a private company’s internal dispute. They argued that dragging a corporate management conflict into the National Assembly is irrational and inappropriate. Some fans also believe that connecting Hanni to this political matter could harm NewJeans’ reputation, especially in a country with polarized politics. A few members even referred to the fandom as a “Trojan horse.”
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I’m so confused. NewJeans fans are campaigning to get Hanni to testify in Congress? Meanwhile, in the US, people are paying big bucks to not get called to testify.