Choi Kwang-ho, Secretary General of the Korea Music Content Association, has expressed his position regarding the workplace harassment incident involving New Jeans member Hani.
On the morning of the 27th, at the JW Marriott Hotel in Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, the Korea Management Federation, the Korea Entertainment Producers Association, the Korea Music Label Industry Association, the Korea Recording Industry Association, and the Korea Music Content Association held a press conference under the theme "Without Record Producers, There is No K-Pop!"
On this day, Choi Kwang-ho, Secretary General of the Korea Music Content Association, shared his thoughts on the Ministry of Employment and Labor's administrative conclusion regarding Hani's workplace harassment complaint, stating that "it is difficult to view her as an employee under the Labor Standards Act." Previously, Hani claimed that she was subjected to the remark "ignore" by a manager at Belift Lab, a label under HYBE, leading to allegations of workplace harassment.
In this regard, Choi Kwang-ho stated, "I think it is a heartbreaking situation for Hani, who experienced this incident, and for the fandom supporting New Jeans. However, the claims from both sides are different. I believe only the two parties involved know the truth."
He continued, "In Hani's case, she was not considered an employee under the Labor Standards Act, so the case was concluded due to a lack of qualification. There are also discussions about partial amendments to the Labor Standards Act. While it may feel unjust emotionally, I think we need to acknowledge the current rules for the sustainable development of this industry. It seems necessary to discuss what we should do moving forward."
Meanwhile, the Korea Management Federation, the Korea Entertainment Producers Association, the Korea Music Label Industry Association, the Korea Recording Industry Association, and the Korea Music Content Association recently issued a statement urging the cessation of tampering practices for the healthy and sustainable development of the popular culture and arts industry. They also requested the National Assembly and the government to support policies aimed at eradicating tampering, which is a major cause of conflict.
