The parents of K-pop sensation NewJeans have turned to Instagram to share their perspective amid the ongoing dispute with their daughter’s agency, HYBE.
On Friday, they launched a new account, explaining, “This temporary account has been created out of necessity to represent our position in the ongoing dispute with HYBE.”
In their statement, the parents revealed their struggles in trying to communicate their side, saying, “We’ve had difficulty finding an official channel to convey our stance. We’ve attempted direct interviews with various media outlets and contacted journalists we know. While some outlets kindly published our statements verbatim, they were few and far between. We even tried distributing our message through an agency, but headlines often distorted it. It’s been a challenge to get our side out without misrepresentation.” They added, “Stories about the members have either been twisted or barely covered and when they have been, it’s usually been in a negative light.”
Acknowledging the public’s potential fatigue over the prolonged dispute, the parents apologized but emphasized the necessity of this new platform. “This account will primarily address issues the members find difficult to discuss directly. As their current sole spokespersons, we desperately need this channel to set the record straight.”
This move comes after NewJeans made a bombshell announcement last November. In an emergency press conference, the group revealed its intention to leave its agency, ADOR, due to unresolved issues. The group announced that its exclusive contract would end at midnight on November 29, 2024, and planned to pursue independent activities moving forward. The members also wanted to collaborate with former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin. Since December 14, the group has established its independent presence, including launching new social media accounts.
In response to NewJeans’ announcement, ADOR filed a lawsuit with the Seoul Central District Court last December, seeking legal confirmation of the ongoing validity of its exclusive contract with the group.