Leaked contracts signed by the five members of NewJeans when they were between 14 and 17 have renewed scrutiny of protections for young K-pop artists. HYBE says separate agreements safeguard underage performers.
The contracts were signed with ADOR, a HYBE affiliate. Their disclosure follows the group’s departure from the label and public complaints about its treatment of the members.
NewJeans’ dispute with ADOR
A year after the group’s album Get Up debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. charts, member Hanni Pham accused ADOR of “deliberate miscommunications and manipulation.” She said that “staying at the company will only prolong our psychological pain.” Other members also spoke out.
NewJeans reached 1 billion Spotify streams in 219 days, a Guinness World Record for a K-pop act. The group has won 35 music awards and sold more than 8 million albums.
Protections for young artists
K-pop agencies recruit performers and can train them for years before debut. Trainees may live in company dormitories and take lessons in singing, choreography, media work and foreign languages. Monthly evaluations can determine whether they remain in a program.
HYBE says its labels sign separate, government-mandated supplementary agreements for underage trainees. According to the company, those agreements protect education, sleep and rest until an artist reaches adulthood.
The Korea Popmusic Industry Association has defended the training system, citing agencies’ upfront development costs and South Korea’s Standard Exclusive Contract for Popular Culture Artists.
