New Jeans member Hani announced her intention to appear as a reference at the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee‘s state audit on the 15th regarding the issues of ‘idol bullying and workplace harassment.

On the 9th, Hani announced through the fan communication platform ‘Poning’, “I’ve decided. I‘m going to the National Assembly. I’m going to the audit alone.”

Hani added to her fans, “Don‘t worry. I decided to leave for myself, my members, and Bernies (fandom name). It won’t be hard. I want to leave.”

She continued, “My managers and the company don‘t know yet. I’ve thought about it a lot, but I think it‘s the right thing to leave. I’ll do well and come back. I‘m not sure what will happen through this experience, but I think it will be a learning experience for me. New Jeans vowed to ”protect Bernie’s.“

Earlier, on the 11th of last month, during a YouTube live broadcast, Hani claimed that while waiting in the hallway of the Hive building, she greeted another celebrity from the same agency and her manager, whom she encountered, but that the manager told her to ”ignore me.“

Later, Hive‘s label Belift Lab, the agency for the group Ilit, refuted Hani’s claims, saying that based on CCTV footage and an investigation of the individual in question, Hani‘s claims were not true.

As the controversy grew, the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee appointed Hani and Hive’s Chief Human Resources Officer Kim Joo-young, who is also the CEO of New Jeans‘ agency Adore, as reference persons and witnesses for the comprehensive state audit of the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Economic, Social and Labor Committee, respectively. The Environment and Labor Commission plans to hold a Q&A session on the 15th regarding ‘workplace bullying’ and ‘idol bullying issues.’

Meanwhile, Tim Bernies, a fandom for New Jeans, announced that they will file a complaint with the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul against Adore CEO Kim Joo-young, Adore Vice CEO Lee Mo, Hive CCO (Chief Communication Officer) Park Tae-hee, and Hive Public Relations Director Jo Mo for breach of trust and obstruction of business, as well as violation of the Personal Information Protection Act.

Dong-A.com Reporter Kim Seung-hyun tmdgus@donga.com