A recent incident involving a HYBE staff member using a body camera to inspect the former dormitory of the group NewJeanshas sparked debate among Korean netizens. This follows ongoing legal disputes between ADOR and NewJeans, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
Background of the Dispute
ADOR announced on January 13 that they had filed an injunction with the Seoul Central District Court against NewJeans. This injunction aims to “preserve the agency’s status and prohibit the signing of advertising contracts, among other activities.” ADOR stated they consider themselves NewJeans’ management company under their existing exclusive contract until the court reaches a verdict on the ‘Confirmation of Validity of Exclusive Contract’ lawsuit filed by ADOR on December 3 of the previous year. ADOR explained this action was necessary to prevent confusion and potential harm to third parties, like advertisers, given NewJeans’ independent actions.
ADOR emphasized their continued support for NewJeans, stating they have consistently provided resources and facilities. They also mentioned completed plans for the year, including a full-length album and a fan meeting, which they had communicated to NewJeans.
Prior to this, on November 28, NewJeans held an emergency press conference announcing the termination of their exclusive contract with ADOR, effective midnight on November 29. They stated that the fault lay with HYBE and ADOR, and therefore they had no reason to sue or pay penalties. ADOR subsequently filed a lawsuit on December 3 to confirm the validity of the contract.
Following their schedule in Japan in early December, NewJeans vacated the accommodations provided by ADOR and began operating independently.
The controversy arose when reports surfaced that a HYBE staff member used a body camera during an inspection of the vacated dorm. This action prompted a wave of reactions from Korean netizens on online communities. The reactions were varied, with some expressing discomfort and others defending the company’s actions. Here are some of the comments:
“If you don’t find it uncomfortable that a woman’s former living space was filmed and uploaded, you’re probably just a male chauvinist who’s already had a history of stalking and illegal filming.”
“Why are you spreading false information up there? The person who leaked the dorm photos on the forum was a sasaeng (obsessive fan).”
“Crazy.”
“That’s so Creepy.”
“There’s nothing wrong with the company using a body camera to check their own property after the group moved out. The real issue is that someone secretly entered the dorm and uploaded pictures to the forum. Isn’t that the real problem?”
“Isn’t the whole point of wearing a body camera to prevent anyone from doing anything shady?”
“The HYBE defenders who are making ridiculous excuses are just as insufferable as the company. They’re impossible to deal with.”
“What’s the problem with taking photos of an empty space? There’s nothing there anyway, right?”
“What the hell is going on? Are they part of a SWAT team or something? And now they expect there to be trust? This is the first time I’ve heard that they used body cameras. What’s the story behind these leaks to the forum?”
“NewJeans, stay strong. But why is it wrong to enter the dorm if it’s empty and they’ve moved out? Isn’t it a vacant place now?”
“This is the most shocking entertainment company ever. I’ve never seen anything like this—it’s seriously terrifying.”
“This makes no sense logically, yet people are defending it? Are they in their right mind?”
“Why did they even enter with a camera in the first place? What was there to film in the dorm?”
“Wait, they filmed the dorm where the girls used to live and spread it on DC Inside? That’s disgusting.”
“The photos on the forum didn’t seem to come from the body camera.”
“Of course, they wore body cameras to avoid being falsely accused. What did you expect? They knew they’d get nitpicked.”
“This company has been casually breaking laws for a while now—absolutely insane.”
“Are the people defending the forum leaks and the hidden camera fans all misogynistic men?”
The comments reveal a range of opinions, from concerns about privacy and potential misuse of footage to defenses of the company’s right to inspect its property. Some netizens pointed out that the photos leaked on the forum might not even be from the body camera footage, raising questions about the source of the leaked images.
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