HYBE: Last News

fromis_9 have announced their upcoming departure from Pledis Entertainment after their contracts expire later this month.On November 29, Pledis Entertainment released a statement on fan community platform Weverse, where it announced that fromis_9 will leave the label after the girl group’s contracts expire later this month. The band were initially formed through reality survival series Idol School and made their debut in January 2018, later signing with Pledis in 2021.“The exclusive contract with fromis_9 will expire this coming December 31,” the agency wrote.

K-pop label ADOR has refuted a recent statement by girl group NewJeans, claiming that their contract with the K-pop act has not been terminated.Yesterday (November 28), NewJeans held an emergency press conference announcing their departure from their label, ADOR. The news came two weeks after the group issued a legal notice to the agency, stating that they would terminate their contracts if ADOR did not resolve alleged breaches of their contracts.ADOR has since sent out a press release stating that their contract with NewJeans is still in effect.

ADOR has issued a statement requesting an apology from fellow HYBE sub-label Belift Lab to NewJeans member Hanni.On November 28, ADOR released a statement on its official stance regarding an alleged incident that took place between NewJeans member Hanni and a manager from Belift Lab.Hanni claimed earlier this year that a manager had told another K-pop group to “ignore” her when they crossed paths at HYBE amid an ongoing feud between ex-ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin and the parent company. Belift Lab denied the allegations in a statement last month.“While ADOR has taken a cautious approach to avoid unnecessary disputes that could escalate into controversies for our artist, we now feel compelled to clarify our position as the matter remains unresolved,” said the label per Korea Times.“Belift Lab’s claims differ completely from Hanni’s account,” it continued, adding that it was “unfair” and “unnecessarily harsh” to expect the singer to recount the incident in detail.

NewJeans Hanni act’, to prevent the workplace harassment of those under special contracts, including K-pop idols.According to Women News, South Korea’s Progressive Party representative Jeong Hye-kyung held a press conference on November 26 announcing the proposed amendment. This change in the Labour Standards Act is aimed at further preventing workplace harassment, particularly for those who aren’t currently legally classified as employees.Representative Jeong emphasised that everyone is entitled to protection “regardless of income, employment relationship, or contractual relationship,” per translations by Koreaboo. The proposal of this bill comes about a week after South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labour had dismissed claims of workplace bullying faced by NewJeans at HYBE on November 20, filed by fans on behalf of the group.The petition alleged that member Hanni in particular was subject to workplace bullying within HYBE, the parent company of her label ADOR.

ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin has officially filed a criminal complaint against K-pop company HYBE’s public relations executives.On November 26, Min Hee-jin’s representatives shared that the former ADOR CEO had filed a criminal complaint with Seoul’s Yongsan Police Station accusing two HYBE executives of breach of duties regarding ADOR girl group NewJeans.According to Yonhap News Agency, the executives named in the complaint are HYBE’s Chief Communications Officer Park Tae-hee and a PR director only identified as Cho. They are part of the agency’s public relations team, which reportedly handles communications and promotional activities for the artists under the agency’s sublabels, including girl group NewJeans.Min’s representatives claimed in a statement that Park and Cho “not only failed to fulfil their obligations but caused significant damage to NewJeans and ADOR by downplaying the group’s achievements”.

BTS singer Jin has unveiled a new version of his solo song ‘Falling’ with ONE OK ROCK frontman Taka.Earlier this month, Jin released his debut solo album ‘Happy’, which included the singles ‘I’ll Be There’ and ‘Running Wild’. Also included on the record is the B-side track ‘Falling’, which was co-produced and co-written by ONE OK ROCK’s vocalist Taka and guitarist Toru.Today, the singer unveiled a new version of the song that includes vocals by the Japanese rock singer.

TWS have released their first single album ‘Last Bell’, alongside a music video for title track ‘Last Festival’.Pledis Entertainment dropped both the single album and accompanying music video on November 25 at 6pm KST. Led by title track ‘Last Festival’, the new record features two additional B-sides: ‘Your Name (Highlight)’ and ‘Comma’.In the music video, the six-piece become high school students working hard to prepare a performance of ‘Last Festival’ for a school talent show called ‘A Winter Night’s Dream’.

NewJeans of workplace harassment.Today (November 20), the Ministry announced the closure of its investigation into workplace bullying claims filed by NewJeans fans on behalf of the band in mid-September, per Yonhap News Agency. The case was dismissed as K-pop idols are not legally classified as employee under the country’s current labour laws.The petition alleged that member Hanni in particular was subject to workplace bullying within HYBE, the parent company of her label ADOR.

ADOR, has resigned from her position an internal director of the K-pop agency and left the company, which is a subsidiary of HYBE.This is according to a report by Yonhap News Agency, which cited a statement released today (November 20) by Min Hee-jin regarding her departure from both ADOR and its parent company HYBE.“Today, I am resigning from my position as an internal director at ADOR,” the K-pop agency’s former CEO wrote in her statement, as translated by Soompi. “Additionally, I am terminating the shareholder agreement with HYBE and intend to hold HYBE legally accountable for breaches of this agreement.”The music executive first stepped down as CEO of ADOR, home to NewJeans, in August.

TXT leader Soobin will be taking a hiatus from the group and activities as a K-pop idol amid health concerns.On November 19, Big Hit Music announced in a statement on Weverse that TXT’s Soobin will be taking a step back from all upcoming scheduled activities due to unspecified concerns over the K-pop idol’s health.The label said that Soobin “recently exhibited signs of being unwell”, which resulted in a hospital visit. “The medical staff have advised that he would need sufficient time to rest and recover,” the statement read.“Soobin himself is determined to continue with his activities, however we felt that it would be better for him to focus on improving his health for the time being as recommended,” the company said.It also added that he will be absent for several upcoming events, the 2024 MAMA Awards, their ‘Act: Promise’ encore concert in Japan and other fan events.

K-pop girl group NewJeans have reportedly warned their agency ADOR that they plan to revoke their contracts if their demands to rectify “grave contract breaches” are not addressed.Yesterday (November 13), NewJeans reportedly sent a signed certificate of contents to their agency, ADOR, a subsidiary under HYBE Labels. According to Korea Times, the document includes the group’s demand for the agency to “rectify all grave breaches of the exclusive contracts within 14 days of receipt”.“If ADOR does not meet the demand for rectification, [we] plan to revoke our exclusive contracts,” NewJeans wrote in the letter, signalling a potential contract dispute in the near future.While the specific details of the group’s demands were not outlined publicly, they previously held a surprise livestream in September calling for the reinstatement of Min as ADOR’s CEO.

TXT member Beomgyu has spoken up about being unable to perform during the band’s recent Tokyo Domes concert due to an injury.In July, TXT played two nights at the Tokyo Dome as part of the Japanese leg of their ‘Act: Promise’ world tour. However, member Beomgyu was unable to perform with the rest of his bandmates after suffering a sprained ligament in his ankle at the time, per Koreaboo.As a result, Beomgyu and leader Soobin broke down in tears during the concert.

K-pop boyband ENHYPEN have made a comeback with their second repackaged studio album and its lead single ‘No Doubt’.In the new visual, ENHYPEN star as regular office workers consumed by thoughts of their love interest. As they daydream, the temperature in the building gets hotter, causing them to grow more and more uncomfortable and destructive.“Ain’t no doubt you’re my answer / No worries, I’m alright / I want you, it’s so painful but / Oh, I’d burn myself to prove it, baby, no doubt,” they sing in the chorus of ‘No Doubt’.

BTS‘ V has teamed up with the Bing Crosby estate for a new rendition of the classic holiday hit ‘White Christmas’.The holiday duet between the K-Pop star and the late Crosby – titled ‘White Christmas (with V of BTS) – is set for release on Friday (December 6). Release in partnership with the Bing Crosby Estate, Primary Wave Music, and Geffen Records, the remix of the 1942 track has been described as an “era-bridging collaboration”.Crosby famously sang ‘White Christmas’ while starring in Irving Berlin’s musical film Holiday Inn. According to Guinness World Records, His version of the track is the world’s best-selling single (in terms of sales of physical media), with estimated sales in excess of 50 million physical copies worldwide.Though the song was released 16 years prior to the creation of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1958, ‘White Christmas’ landed a spot on the chart that same year and peaked a Number Two in 1962.The duet will be available on exclusive holiday-themed Vinyl, CD, & merchandise.

BTS member RM has released a brand-new trailer for his upcoming documentary, RM: Right People, Wrong Place.The trailer, released November 5, follows BTS’ RM during studio sessions, live performances and in his downtime with friends. The video includes a preview of the K-pop star wondering what his place is in the industry, as he asks: “What does it mean to be a K-pop star at 30?”“I always pushed my limits,” he tells the camera as more footage of himself working on music in the studio plays.

ADOR‘s CEO has been denied by a South Korean court.Min Hee-jin previously stepped down from her role as CEO of the K-pop label – home to NewJeans and subsidiary label under HYBE – in late August, which she later claimed was not her choice. The announcement came amid a lengthy feud between Min and HYBE, which owns the majority of ADOR, over the control of the company.Yonhap News Agency confirmed that the verdict from the Seoul Central District Court, announced on October 29, explained that “the claims [from Min Hee-jin] do not meet the requirements to constitute the legal grounds for a court judgement”.This comes after a local court hearing for the case was held on October 11 for an injunction she filed last month to return to her former position.In response to the court’s decision, HYBE has issued the following statement on October 30: “We acknowledge and appreciate the court’s wise ruling.

HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang has issued a formal apology regarding leaked internal reports, which allegedly contained controversial remarks about K-pop idols.According to The Korea Herald, the document and its contents were first made public during a National Assembly audit into the entertainment giant on October 24, during which HYBE COO and subsidiary label Belift Labs CEO Kim Tae-ho was questioned about its practices.During the audit carried out by the South Korean National Assembly’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee, assemblyman Min Hyung-bae said that the “Weekly Industry Music Report” allegedly contained 18,000 pages of malicious comments about various K-pop artists and groups, including minors.The idols reportedly mentioned in the leaked document hail from industry rivals such as JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment, SM Entertainment and more. Following the leak, HYBE faced widespread backlash from fans.On October 29, CEO Lee Jae-sang issued a formal apology via HYBE’s website to “the artists, industry colleagues and fans affected by the language used in our monitoring document”, per CNA Lifestyle.“The document was created in the process of collecting various responses and public opinions on industry trends and issues,” he wrote.

SEVENTEEN singer Seungkwan has posted a lengthy message on Instagram about the K-pop industry and voicing his support for fellow idols.Last week, K-pop company HYBE disclosed company documents during a National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism committee audit. Several pages of documents that allegedly contained disparaging remarks about K-pop artists have since been leaked, sparking outrage from K-pop fans both domestically and internationally.Amid the ongoing controversy, SEVENTEEN vocalist Seungkwan has shared a message speaking up for his group and fellow K-pop idols.

Jin of BTS has dropped a pre-release single titled ‘I’ll Be There’ alongside its music video, ahead of his highly anticipated solo debut album.Both the single and its accompanying music video were released on Friday (October 25). Titled ‘I’ll Be There’, the track pays homage to the rockabilly genre, mixed with elements of pop rock and trot.In the video, Jin performs the song live with an accompanying band in the middle of a parking lot, as hordes of fans swarm the parking lot to celebrate the performance.“The track conveys a sincere message, aiming to uplift those who feel downhearted and alone by delivering joy through Jin’s playful yet straightforward style,” a press release stated about the song, adding that the BTS vocalist himself had co-produced ‘I’ll Be There’ in partnership with American singer-songwriter MAX.Jin’s debut solo album, ‘Happy’ is due out on November 15.

ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin has been re-instated as an internal director on the company’s board for three years.Korea JoongAng Daily confirmed on October 17 that the K-pop label – home to K-pop girl group NewJeans and a subsidiary under HYBE – held a board meeting to formally extend Min’s term as an internal director for ADOR, which was previously due to end on November 1.The music executive’s renewed term as an ADOR internal director will now expire in three years after it’s due to begin on November 2. Meanwhile, a local court hearing regarding Min’s previous injunction to reinstate her as ADOR’s CEO was held on October 11, with the court is expected to make a ruling sometime before the end of the month.The extension of Min’s position with the company comes a little under a month since she was first offered a reinstatement on ADOR’s board of directors on September 25.

NewJeans’ Hanni has tearfully testified on workplace harassment at South Korea’s National Assembly.Hanni, real name Phạm Ngọc Hân, alleged that the entertainment agency Hybe deliberately undermined the group, while she also accused senior management of deliberately ignoring her.She said, “I came to the realisation that this wasn’t just a feeling.