A member of the famous South Korean idol group “NewJeans” provides reference for workplace bullying as a testimony for better treatment of artists.
Hanni, real name Phạm Ngọc Hân, a 20 year old Vietnamese-Australian, has accused senior managers of deliberately ignoring her.
On October 15th 2024, The Environment and Labor Committee held a meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.
They requested the attendance of witnesses and reference persons which included Hanni as an effort to to improve the working conditions in the entertainment industry.
When asked for her reason for the attendance at the audit today she states details of her experience which was broadcasted by Yonhap News Agency and Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS).
Hanni, speaking to the committee chairman An Ho-young stated that, “I had just finished my hair and makeup so I was waiting in the hallways when around three members of another group and their female manager walked past me.”
Hanni quotes that the manager said “Ignore her like you didn’t see her” and that this issue wasn’t a “one-time occurrence.”
She further claimed that “I ran into many high-ranking persons in the company and they never once greeted me back.”
She continued to explain that “I came today in hopes that no other idols who debuted before myself or who will debut after will have to put up with this kind of bullying.”
In her final words she thanked the committee by saying “Thank you for paying attention to this issue.”
Her testimony highlights how the K-pop industry often has poor treatment of its artists which can be seen through their difficult training, tight schedules and strict policies imposed on them.
