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On January 10, 2025, SPOTV News reported that the Seoul Immigration Office issued a statement addressing the visa status of NewJeans member Phạm Hanni, following reports alleging her as an illegal immigrant in South Korea. The situation emerged after NewJeans announced the termination of their exclusive contract with ADOR on November 28, 2024, citing unresolved contractual breaches.
Following the termination of NewJeans' contract with ADOR, concerns arose regarding the validity of Hanni's visa. An anonymous citizen filed a complaint through the National Civil Complaint System, alleging that Hanni's visa had expired, rendering her an illegal resident.
For the unversed, Hanni holds dual citizenship in Australia and Vietnam. To legally reside and work in South Korea, she was granted an E-6 visa, designated for foreign entertainers, through her affiliation with ADOR. The E-6 visa is typically issued for one year and requires annual renewal by the sponsoring agency.
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On January 10, 2025, the Seoul Immigration Office of the Ministry of Justice addressed the complaint, stating,
"It is difficult to answer personal details such as whether or not a specific third party foreigner violated the Immigration Control Act."
The Ministry further stated:
"In the case of foreign entertainers staying in the country with an E-6 visa, the immigration office determines the domestic stay qualification and period of stay based on employment contracts with domestic agencies, etc., and we plan to take corresponding measures as soon as the employment relationship is resolved between the parties."
The outcome of the legal dispute between NewJeans and ADOR directly impacts Hanni's visa status. If the court upholds the contract termination, Hanni would need to secure a new agency sponsorship to renew her E-6 visa. However, immigration law requires the previous employer's approval for such transfers, which ADOR may withhold amid ongoing legal proceedings.
More about the ongoing conflict between Min Hee-jin's and NewJeans with ADOR
In August 2024, HYBE, the parent company of ADOR, removed Min Hee-jin from her position as CEO, appointing Kim Ju-young, HYBE's executive human resources officer, as her successor. The girl group held a YouTube livestream in September 2024 and demanded Min Hee-jin's re-appointment as the label head.
In response to the group's demands, ADOR's board convened and resolved to reappoint Min Hee-jin as an internal director on October 17, 2024. However, they declined to reinstate her as CEO. Newsen reported that Min Hee-jin's role and authority as NewJeans' producer were fully guaranteed.
Following Min Hee-jin's dismissal, NewJeans expressed dissatisfaction with the new management, citing concerns over their treatment and the company's direction. Yonhap News reported that on November 13, 2024, the group sent a certified letter to HYBE and ADOR, outlining several demands, including the reinstatement of Min Hee-jin as CEO. They warned that failure to meet these demands within two weeks would result in the termination of their exclusive contract.
Forbes reported that dissatisfied with the partial reinstatement, Min Hee-jin resigned from her position as internal director on November 20, 2024, expressing disagreement with HYBE and ADOR's decisions.
Subsequently, on November 28, 2024, NewJeans announced the termination of their contract with ADOR, citing the company's failure to meet their demands and protect their interests. They expressed intentions to pursue their careers independently, highlighting ongoing issues of workplace harassment and mistreatment under the new management.
ADOR, however, disputed the validity of the contract termination and filed a lawsuit seeking judicial confirmation to enforce the existing contract on December 3, 2024. The legal battle is ongoing, with both parties standing firm in their positions.
As the legal proceedings continue, the future of NewJeans remains uncertain.
