"Please stop HYBE's malicious reverse viral" — NewJeans’ parents reveal the group’s alleged dire living conditions under Source Music

On July 24, 2024, NewJeans made waves when the parents of the members claimed the subpar circumstances of their trainee dormitories to Sports World News. According to Minji's mother, there was mold developing in every corner of the ceiling in the Source Music dorms, and had a cockroach infestation.

All NewJeans group members were trainees under Source Music, a HYBE subsidiary label before they got transferred to ADOR in late 2021. Hanni, Minji, Haerin, Danielle, and Hyein debuted as NewJeans under ADOR in November 2022, while LE SSERAFIM debuted under Source Music in May 2022.

On July 24, Sports World reported that Minji's mother accused HYBE of "harassing" them by "personally attacking" Min Hee-jin, the CEO of ADOR. This stemmed from HYBE's previous lawsuit against Min Hee-jin in April 2024, when the company accused her of corporate espionage. Minji's mother said,

"NewJeans will stand with ADOR until the end. Please stop HYBE's malicious reverse viral. We can no longer tolerate HYBE's anti-viral. [...] The problem is HYBE, which is harassing us. I remember the articles that poured out like a witch hunt for three days on April 22."

She continued,

They even framed us parents and NewJeans in a strange way. It is also shocking how a large corporation is personally attacking CEO Min Hee-jin. How can we trust and rely on a parent company like this?"

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NewJeans' parents accuse HYBE and SOURCE MUSIC of alleged mistreatment of the members

Sports World reported that NewJeans' parents stressed having no intention of leaving ADOR and stood by Min Hee-jin. They praised the ADOR CEO for supporting their kids with the transfer from Source Music to ADOR and personal success.

All parents of the five members displayed a united stance and claimed that HYBE had been disseminating incorrect information about ADOR and hijacking the CEO. They expressed their wish by urging HYBE to cease their alleged attacks against Min Hee-jin and NewJeans.

Minji's mother told Sports World that her daughter's late-night work hours and subpar living circumstances at Source Music concerned her before Minji moved to ADOR. Minji began her training under Source Music at 13. Minji allegedly felt pressured by Source Music to halt her academics in focus on her training.

The parents further disclosed that the girls were tensed when the debut order was abruptly modified by Source Music. Minji's mother added that they were not given any explanation by the label regarding her daughter's debut. She said that they all were pleased when the five girls were moved to ADOR, who let them debut.

On July 23, 2024, HYBE released trainee footage of the girl group members, that startled their parents. Danielle's mother asserted that if the false articles are not removed, she may sue HYBE. The legal guardians of the girl group members denounced HYBE for their defamatory campaign against ADOR.

Haerin and Hyein's parents stated HYBE misrepresented them, painting them as corporate betrayers. The parents added that both Haerin and Hyein experienced being ignored as trainees at Source Music, with neither direction nor feedback.

According to Hyein's mother, her daughter first joined Source Music to debut in HYBE's first girl group. However, the rigorous training environment and the way HYBE allegedly mistreated the girls caused the parents to doubt the company's morality.

"There is currently a lot of serious evidence that HYBE is neglecting NewJeans, and I wonder if they want all of this to be made public. It is questionable whether Source and HYBE, who released such content without permission even though it was already transferred, are companies with professional ethics."

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Sports World reported that NewJeans' parents sent a warning notice to Source Music and Dispatch for publishing trainee footage and chat content of ADOR CEO without their consent.