NewJeans’ decision to address internal issues at HYBE is now being celebrated, as newly disclosed documents bring attention to their influence in highlighting industry challenges.

NewJeans’ Statements and Initial Backlash

K-pop group NewJeans previously faced criticism for a series of statements made in a livestream and during Hanni’s appearance at an audit. Some fans and international netizens felt their concerns didn’t adequately address the broader mistreatment of idols in the industry, leading to accusations of being “entitled” or even “brainwashed.” Many viewed the group’s comments as potentially dismissive of serious concerns raised by others in the K-pop community.

“NewJeans only cared about themselves, ignoring the struggles of others,” commented one user in a now-deleted post.

International netizens in particular were quick to call NewJeans “entitled” and “privileged,” dismissing their concerns.

Others called them “brainwashed” and accused the girls of siding with Min Hee Jin when they called themselves victims.

HYBE’s Internal Documents Spark New Conversations

After the shocking contents of HYBE’s internal documents were recently revealed and reviewed at an audit, it became obvious that there was more to the story than the girls could have said. Not only did HYBE gather negative opinions and comments about other groups…

…they also tried to use other groups to promote their own idols. While trying to promote LE SSERAFIM and ILLIT, HYBE staff allegedly tried to put NewJeans on the back burner despite using their name to help ILLIT gain exposure.

As various communities began to use “HYBE’s New-ILL-LE” to refer to NewJeans, ILLIT, and LE SSERAFIM, people began to mention ILLIT more.

Right now, it might be necessary to tie LE SSERAFIM to BLACKPINK, aespa, and IVE into the category of girl groups as million sellers in the first week of sales and separate them from the 4th generation. We were plagued by the term New-ILL-LE for a few days, but we can just throw “New” away and start a whole new thing.

— HYBE Report

Netizens are now beginning to realize the impact NewJeans had in helping uncover HYBE’s alleged misdeeds.

Hanni’s Audit Testimony Sparks Change

Amid these revelations, Hanni’s choice to testify at the audit against HYBE and ADOR‘s new CEO, Ju Young Kim, took on fresh significance. Despite the potential risks involved, her testimony was seen as a bold stance in a traditionally hierarchical industry.

“Hanni’s voice against higher-ups might actually lead to some real industry reforms,” one fan commented.

Industry Impact and Changing Perceptions of NewJeans

The audit’s disclosures have reshaped public perception of NewJeans, with many now commending the group for their courage. Fans noted that their criticisms, initially dismissed as self-centered, contributed to broader conversations about the power dynamics and transparency within entertainment agencies.

“NewJeans fans were right the entire time,” one netizen posted, capturing the sentiment of those re-evaluating the group’s influence.

As this story unfolds, NewJeans’ actions are increasingly seen as part of a larger movement toward accountability within the K-pop industry.

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