“When I still think about Minji persevering in that harsh environment, my heart breaks…”
The parents of NewJeans‘ members have spoken out in unison against HYBE and Source Music. This article will provide a full translation of Minji’s mother.
On July 24, Sports World released a bombshell report in which the parents of NewJeans’ members vehemently criticized Source Music while voicing their support for ADOR. According to the report, the parents’ actions were in direct response to Dispatch’s previous article which has been refuted by ADOR, with the label vowing to take legal action.
Here are the full translations of Minji’s mother’s statement.
Minji’s Parents “Dorm Full Of Roaches, Made A Girl Find Her Way Home Alone At 2AM”
Minji’s mother revealed that she was happy when her child moved to ADOR after starting her trainee career at Source Music. She revealed the story about Minji’s time at Source Music for the first time.
According to Minji’s mother, “Minji first began as a trainee at Source Music after moving to Seoul alone at the age of 13.” Although I wanted to see how she was doing as a mother who sent her child alone, the dormitory forbade parents from entering. Minji’s mother revealed that she had first visited the dorm after 1 year. At the time she revealed she was shocked. The corners of the room had mold and had roaches running around. Minji’s parents still struggle with that time.
When I still think about Minji who persevered in that harsh environment, my heart breaks.
— Minji’s mother
The abhorrent conditions that she lived in weren’t the only struggle for the 14-year-old. The long wait without knowing her future was the hardest. Minji’s mother shared that “As for any trainee, all she could do was wait.” Minji’s mother then hit back at Dispatch and Source Music’s allegations claiming the label had planned to debut Minji.
What made Minji struggle the most was making her wait for years and neglecting her without giving us any explanation or plans for the future. There weren’t any plans for her debut and neither were there a debut group that had been assembled. There weren’t any concrete plans for her future either.
— Minji’s mother
Minji’s mother then criticized Source Music for making her daughter practice until 2 in the morning every day without any rest days.
Despite this, they made her practice until 2 in the morning everyday, including Saturday and Sunday. I can still hear Minji’s scared voice speaking while she walked home alone as a 14-year-old.
— Minji’s mother
Minji’s mother revealed that Minji was also interested in studying at the time. She shared that Minji wouldn’t sleep knowing that she may not get up in time to go to school and would just wash up after coming home. There were many times when Minji would wait outside of her school gates at 6 AM, waiting for the school to open without getting any sleep.
Minji’s mother then shared that despite her passion for school, Source Music asked her to quit her studies. “They even said that because it is difficult for her to juggle High School and practicing she shouldn’t enter High School.” Minji’s mother revealed that to Minji, whose time at Source Music was becoming unbearable, her time at school was a welcomed respite.
Because there weren’t any concrete plans for her future at Source Music, Minji stated that she wanted to continue attending school. Minji’s mother then revealed that the label offered that Minji “May attend a school of the arts.” The problem was that entrance exams for art schools were near. Still, Minji was able to pass her exams after personally finding a teacher.
The reason Minji was able to endure the harsh conditions was because of her strong will to achieve her dreams.
— Minji’s mother
After, Source Music became part a HYBE label. Minji then had hopes she would debut as part of the label’s first girl group, but then she found out that a famous idol had joined the debut ensemble for HYBE’s upcoming group. Minji’s mother gave credence to Min Hee Jin’s timeline, stating that in an instant, it seemed that the order in which Minji would debut had flipped.
We were in danger of being discarded during the time when the debut order had flipped. But at the time, Min Hee Jin stayed with the girls that she chose and didn’t give up on them. Eventually, Minji fulfilled her dreams by debuting with NewJeans.
— Minji’s mother
Minji’s mother then stated that she was very happy with ADOR, but criticized HYBE for harassing the label.
We signed a contract with ADOR. We were happy that Min Hee Jin was with ADOR when we moved from Source Music. We are still very happy that Minji is in ADOR and we have never thought about leaving the label.
The problem is HYBE is harassing us. I remember all of the reports that flooded out for 3 days starting on April 22. The reports even tried to frame NewJeans and their parents as strange. It is disgusting that a conglomerate would attack one person like they did to Min Hee Jin. How can we depend on and trust this type of parent company?
— Minji’s mother
This is part of a collection of exposés translated from interviews given by Minji, Haerin, Hyein, and Danielle’s parents. The parents also spoke on behalf of Hanni’s parents who are in Australia.
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