On December 20, 2024, Xports News reported that NewJeans’ Hanni’s Visa is nearing its expiration date. Hanni Pham, a member of NewJeans, has dual Australian-Vietnamese citizenship. She debuted as a member of the Attention group in 2022 under ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE Corporation.
As a foreign national working in South Korea, Hanni is subject to strict visa regulations. These regulations prompt questions about her legal status amid ongoing controversies involving her agency.
Foreign nationals, including K-pop idols like Hanni, typically require an E-6 (Culture and Arts) visa to work in South Korea. This visa is tailored for entertainers, artists, and athletes and allows them to perform and participate in activities under the guidance of a Korean management agency.
The visa process requires the agency’s sponsorship, and any breach of contract or termination often complicates visa renewals. If the artist parted ways with their agency, they must either secure a new sponsor or leave the country upon visa expiration.
As her visa expiration nears, ADOR issued an official statement, according to Xports News, where the label stated:
“Since her exclusive contract with New Jeans is still valid, we are preparing documents for visa extension according to the procedure.”
However, since NewJeans announced their contract termination with ADOR on November 28, 2024, citing unmet demands, Hanni’s visa status could be automatically revoked due to the change of the contractual front.
Given Hanni’s Australian citizenship and reliance on an E-6 visa, her continued work in South Korea hinges on securing proper legal sponsorship. Furthermore, if ADOR renews her visa, it would reinforce the idea that the group’s exclusive contract with the label is still in effect and valid.
If ADOR, Hanni’s current agency, refuses to renew her visa, Hanni would likely need to work with a different agency or entity that can sponsor her employment to legally continue her activities in South Korea.
Provisions under South Korean immigration law may allow Hanni to file for a visa extension or change with sufficient justification. This would include ongoing commitments or the inability to immediately transition to a new agency.
ADOR and NewJeans’ ongoing feud takes a news turn over Hanni’s visa status
NewJeans made headlines on November 28, 2024, after announcing the termination of their exclusive contracts with ADOR. The members—Hanni, Minji, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—cited ADOR’s failure to address their concerns and alleged mistreatment.
Despite the group’s legal termination of their contracts, ADOR responded by filing a lawsuit to dispute the validity of the termination on December 3. The company claimed the contracts remain enforceable and expects the members to fulfill their obligations. ADOR reiterated this on December 20, when it issued a statement on Hanni’s visa renewal.
In a press conference, the NewJeans members disclosed that their decision stemmed from ADOR’s alleged breaches of trust and unmet contractual obligations. Hanni’s statement highlighted dissatisfaction with the agency’s work ethic and focus on profit over artistic integrity. Furthermore, the group pledged to continue their scheduled activities and use the “NewJeans” name.
Adding to the turmoil, Min Hee-jin, ADOR’s former CEO, was fired in August 2024 due to breach-of-contract allegations, further intensifying tensions between the agency and its artists. At NewJeans and their fans’ demand, she was rehired as ADOR’s inside director in October 2024. However, the board unanimously rejected her reappointment as CEO.
On November 14, the girl group sent ADOR a letter of ultimatum demanding Min Hee-jin’s reinstatement and threatening to terminate the contract if she didn’t. On November 29, Min Hee-jin voluntarily resigned from ADOR and HYBE. On November 28, they declared the contract terminated and stated that they didn’t breach the contract and, hence, didn’t need to pay the penalty to HYBE.
The group’s contract expires in 2029, and if the court rules in favor of ADOR, the group will be required to pay a penalty of $275 million. On December 15, 2024, Shinhan Financial Group dropped NewJeans from its advertising campaigns. The group’s legal disputes and uncertain future have raised concerns among advertisers and other industry stakeholders about potential instability.
In other news, the girl group opened a new Instagram account, jeanzforfree, on December 14, 2024. They also provided packaged meals for fans who attended President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment rally.
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Edited by Shreya Das