"NewJeans deserves better" - Fans outraged as the girl group allegedly gets left out of HYBE's Q4 plans amid ongoing controversy with Min Hee-jin

On October 14, 2024, HYBE launched an updated Key Schedule showcasing their activities with all their K-pop groups this year. This included their plans for the fourth quarter (October to December) of the year. However, NewJeans was allegedly left out of the plans for the period, amid the ongoing feud between HYBE and ADOR's CEO, Min Hee-jin.

The chart, divided into all four quarters of the year, displayed NewJeans' involvement in the second quarter from April to June when the K-pop quintet rolled out their Korean EP How Sweet on May 24 and their Japanese debut EP Supernatural on June 21. The members even greeted their fans through their first fan meet in Japan called 'Bunnies Camp 2024 Tokyo Dome' from June 26 to June 27.

Furthermore, in the third quarter (July to September), NewJeans performed at the halftime show of the 2024 Coupang Play Series match between FC Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur on August 3, at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

A plan released around the second quarter of 2024 had divulged information on the possible release of a new album by the group in the fourth quarter. NewJeans had also announced it during their Tokyo Dome fan meeting. Bunnies, (NewJeans fans) who were awaiting the album in the second half have been left disappointed by the lack of further announcements in the new schedule.

Additionally, TheQoo cited Min Hee-jin's statement from a JoongAng Ilbo interview from September 26, regarding how work on the new album likely came to an abrupt halt given the legal feud with HYBE. According to the report, Min Hee-jin said:

"There was a big hitch. I was fired while I was in the middle of a surprise fan meeting planned for Korean fans. The vice presidents were also excluded from work and blocked overnight. The work on the next album has also been halted. It’s so unfortunate. This is also Hive’s obstruction of business against New Jeans." (direct translation from TheQoo's article)

One fan voiced their dismay on X stating the group "deserves better."

"newjeans deserves better"

One fan defending NewJeans on X (Image via X/suzybwoo)

More fans have added to the online discourse with their comments on the issue, with many feeling sorry for NewJeans.

"newjeans i'm so sorry," wrote a netizen.

"No way they arent releasing this year," another post read.

"nj1 just disappear," added another X-user.

Here are some more fan discussions expressing their disapproval about the alleged exclusion of NewJeans from HYBE's plans for Q4 2024:

"This is upsetting." stated another fan.

"njs being blank," noted a comment.

After their successful music releases earlier this year, from which Supernatural topped Japan's Oricon and Line Music charts soon upon release, and their first-ever Japan fan meet being sold out on both days, Bunnies had expected the year to end with an album from NewJeans.

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Some updates on HYBE's ongoing controversy with NewJeans

On September 11, 2024, NewJeans went on a YouTube livestream from a new channel, which was deleted soon after. In the session, titled, "What NewJeans Want To Say," the ADOR group's members spoke up about their determination to stand up to HYBE and vocalized their dismay at Min Hee-jin's resignation from the role of ADOR's CEO.

During the 30-minute-long live stream, member Hanni specifically opened up about allegedly facing discrimination and mistreatment from a HYBE official.

The 20-year-old stated that a HYBE manager had allegedly asked a team member to ignore Hanni. When the idol brought the issue to the current CEO Kim Ju-young, the latter purportedly dismissed it based on lack of proof. Hanni further revealed being made to feel like a liar upon this incident.

As of October 14, Hanni is scheduled to appear as a witness at the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee audit on October 15, owing to her involvement in the workplace bullying controversy at HYBE.

On October 9, Hanni informed fans of her decision to go to the National Assembly on her own, calling it a decision taken for the fandom, her group, and herself. She wrote:

"Ah… Bunnies, and!! I’ve made a decision!! I’m going to the National Assembly! A state audit! I’m going to do it on my own! So don’t worry!! I’m doing this for myself, for the members, and for Bunnies too!" (translation via X/nwjnsint)

In the meantime, the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s decision from last month to name HYBE as the '2024 Korea Top Job Creation Company' is likely to be examined closely during the audit. While the ministry had praised HYBE for encouraging "horizontal communication," this assessment now appears contradictory due to the bullying allegations involving NewJeans.