"She doesn’t deserve this!" — Fans call out HYBE over alleged media control following the lack of NewJeans' Hyein’s airport departure coverage

On September 29, 2024, NewJeans' Hyein left for Paris via Incheon International Airport to attend the Paris Fashion Week. Her fans claimed that Korean media failed to give her proper media coverage and blamed HYBE for alleged media control.

Fans claimed that HYBE allegedly tried to erase Hyein's fame and importance and stopped reporters from going to the airport when she left. The company faced allegations of targeted harassment and bullying Hyein.

For the unversed, the ongoing feud between HYBE and former ADOR CEO, Min Hee-jin, has entangled the rookie girl group as well. On September 11, 2024, NewJeans held an unauthorized YouTube livestream and urged HYBE to reinstate Min Hee-jin as ADOR's CEO.

Fans believe that this might have offended HYBE and they have been allegedly downplaying the girl group.

One fan wrote on X:

"I feel so bad for Hyein. She doesn’t deserve this! HYBE is so low for bullying a MINOR! This is a form of ABUSE! A targeted harassment! And since Hyein is still a minor so this is child abuse too!"

Fans lashed out at HYBE for allegedly sabotaging ADOR's rookie girl group.

"It looks like HYBE is implementing strategy to erase each member's reputation and their fame, and they're starting with Hyein. They will do this one by one and surely enough that the “rumor” NewJeans gonna be abandoned in HYBE is no longer a rumor, they are erasing NewJeans." one fan wrote.

"Well, HYBE will fail. The more they try to sabotage NewJeans, the more fans will passionately support them and likely protest. And as a tokki i will never stop! Fighting for NewJeans!!" another fan pledged their support.

"No journalist photos of hyein uploaded by korean media outlets, no articles, her arrival wasn't livestreamed, all this media blackout, r they trying to decrease her media value? the blatant sabotage right in front of our eyes. HYBE always plays their dirty tricks on her," one fan commented.

Meanwhile, a few netizens mentioned that if HYBE had that much control over the Korean media then they could have thwarted the negative reports against their biggest stars. Others also stated that BLACKPINK's Jennie left for Paris at the same time from Incheon Airport and the reporters could have gone to take her pictures.

"Did hybe pay their fans too?? I didn't see their fans on airport too." one netizen said.

"Y’all are actually hilarious. If hybe had that hold on Kmedia truly then their biggest artist wouldn’t have faced the media attacks over there." another fan wrote.

"Jennie from BP was at the airport at the same time departing from a different location. It seems the majority of journalists all rushed there. Jennie just got more clout." one other netizen wrote.

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NewJeans demanded Min Hee-jin's reinstatement as ADOR CEO but the motion was denied

For the unversed, on August 27, 2024, ADOR's board fired Min Hee-jin from the position of CEO and appointed Kim Joo-young as the label's new CEO. Following this, NewJeans held a YouTube livestream and expressed their disappointment towards the new management.

On September 12, Min Hee-jin filed another injunction to call an emergency shareholders meeting in October to get reappointed as ADOR's CEO. NME reported that ADOR and HYBE decided to address NewJeans' demands and called a shareholders' meeting on September 25. All shareholders unanimously denied reappointing Min Hee-jin as the CEO.

ADOR further stated that, on September 11, it had offered Min Hee-jin to be in charge of NewJeans' production for the remainder of the girl group's contract with the label. The Korea Times reported that following the board's decision, Min Hee-jin's legal representatives released a statement where she said,

"Min is concerned that extending her term under a deceptive contract might prevent her from continuing her work with NewJeans. Therefore, she has clearly expressed her intention to return as CEO and has requested a genuine and specific contract from HYBE."

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On September 26, 2024, Min Hee-jin gave an exclusive interview to JoongAng Daily and claimed that HYBE circulated slanderous articles about her. She further alleged that Billboard columnist, Jeff Benjamin, also texted her about HYBE allegedly trying to defame her.

Jeff Benjamin released chat screenshots and refuted all claims made by Min Hee-jin. He expressed being surprised about getting dragged by her and stated that her opinions are based on her "personal feelings or biases."