'Stop Hiding, Bang!' NewJeans Fandom demands 'ADOR normalization' with truck protest.

"stop hiding and come forward!" The NewJeans fandom alliance has started a protest

The NewJeans Fandom Alliance has started a protest in front of HYBE’s Yongsan headquarters, demanding the reinstatement of ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin.

The protest, which includes trucks and condolence wreaths, will run from September 23 to 25, passing through locations like Gwanghwamun Square and the National Assembly Station before returning to HYBE.

Fans are upset with HYBE’s management, accusing them of violating the independence of subsidiary labels despite promoting a multi-label system.

Fandom Questions HYBE's Leadership

The fandom alliance specifically called out HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk and the company's executives, questioning why they are trying to remove Min Hee-jin in breach of shareholder agreements and court rulings.

They criticized Bang for staying silent and hiding behind the company’s management and media, while NewJeans members, who debuted only two years ago, have publicly taken a stand at great personal risk.

Ultimatum Issued by NewJeans Members

This protest comes after the five members of NewJeans (Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein) issued an ultimatum on September 11 via YouTube, demanding that ADOR be normalized under Min Hee-jin’s leadership by September 25.

The fandom holds HYBE responsible for the ongoing situation and is calling on Chairman Bang to take immediate action to reinstate Min Hee-jin and restore normal operations at ADOR.

Below is the full statement from the NewJeans Fandom Alliance:

The NewJeans Fandom Alliance (NewJeans Gallery, Team Bunnies, Team Global Tokkies, etc.) is launching a truck and condolence wreath protest for three days starting today, September 23, in front of the HYBE headquarters in Yongsan.

Donations for this protest, amounting to 9 million KRW, were raised in just 24 minutes, demonstrating the anger NewJeans fans feel toward Bang Si-hyuk and HYBE’s irresponsible actions.

On September 11, NewJeans members appeared in a live broadcast, asking HYBE’s Chairman Bang Si-hyuk and the company’s management to reinstate CEO Min Hee-jin and normalize ADOR by September 25.

Despite the impending deadline, no one from HYBE’s top management, including Chairman Bang, has taken responsibility for this situation.

The vision and plans Min Hee-jin had for ADOR alongside the NewJeans members were clear.

ADOR, founded by Min Hee-jin under HYBE in November 2021, aimed to present a unique philosophy with fearless challenges, as outlined on the HYBE website.

They successfully showcased diverse music and projects, led by NewJeans, which debuted in 2022.

ADOR, under Min Hee-jin’s leadership, proved its value through its musical works and public response, including the successful fan meeting at Tokyo Dome.

In a recent interview, Min Hee-jin shared a 7-year vision with the NewJeans members, expressing her hope that this dream would not be just a pipe dream but something they could achieve safely.

We ask Chairman Bang Si-hyuk: What is the purpose of HYBE’s multi-label system, musical diversity, and your responsibilities as an entertainment company?

Why is HYBE, which claims to support an independent label system, undermining ADOR’s autonomy and Min Hee-jin’s leadership?

Why are you violating shareholder agreements and ignoring court rulings to oust Min Hee-jin, even if it means sacrificing NewJeans and ADOR?

It’s time for Chairman Bang Si-hyuk to personally address this situation and provide a resolution.

Even the NewJeans members, who debuted just two years ago, have already publicly taken a stand.

As the head of a major company, isn’t it shameful to continue hiding behind your executives and the media, which only repeats HYBE’s stance?

This situation escalated after HYBE, led by Bang Si-hyuk, announced an audit of Min Hee-jin and others just a week before NewJeans’ comeback on April 22.

Not only did this premature announcement cause HYBE’s stock price to plummet, but over 4,000 related news articles were published between April and the end of August.

As a result, HYBE, Min Hee-jin, and the NewJeans members have all suffered from ongoing negative media coverage.

On May 30, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that the alleged breach of duty by Min Hee-jin was unfounded and mandated that her 5-year term be guaranteed, but none of HYBE’s top management took responsibility for this.

On the day Min Hee-jin won the court ruling, she extended an olive branch to HYBE, suggesting reconciliation for the sake of both NewJeans and HYBE.

However, HYBE, led by Bang Si-hyuk, continued its malicious attacks.

HYBE’s management leaked private KakaoTalk messages obtained during the audit process to internet media outlets like Dispatch, along with pre-debut videos of the NewJeans members.

Such actions are shockingly low and vile for a company ranked as the largest entertainment corporation in Korea.

Finally, on August 27, HYBE’s board members, appointed by Bang Si-hyuk, unilaterally dismissed Min Hee-jin as CEO and replaced ADOR’s management with HYBE personnel, leaving NewJeans’ future uncertain and unstable.

Fans, who have always supported the group’s happy and collaborative environment, are watching the current situation at ADOR with grave concern.

HYBE is responsible for bringing about this crisis.

The NewJeans members have clearly stated during their live broadcast how they want to coexist peacefully with HYBE.

Now, it’s time for Chairman Bang Si-hyuk to come forward, address the NewJeans members’ demand for 'Min Hee-jin’s reinstatement and ADOR’s normalization,' and provide a resolution.