NewJeans parents speak out on cockroach-infested dorms, forced to quit school

The parents of NewJeans have spoken out. As the legal guardians of the minor members, they decided to break their silence following an article on the 23rd detailing the alleged “Min Hee-Jin’s plot to take NewJeans” and HYBE’s subsequent response. The parents claim they can no longer endure HYBE’s anti-viral activities.

Through an interview with Business & Sports World, the parents expressed their intent to stand by Min Hee-Jin and ADOR until the end and called on HYBE to cease their counter-viral activities.

Minji’s Mother: “Cockroach-Infested Dormitory, Late-Night Commutes Alone”

Minji’s mother recalled the joy when Minji moved from Source Music to ADOR and shared previously untold stories of her trainee days at Source Music.

Minji started her trainee life at Source Music at the age of 13, living alone in Seoul. Her mother described the initial shock when she visited Minji’s dormitory a year later: mold growing in corners, cockroaches everywhere. “Thinking about Minji enduring such harsh conditions in silence still breaks my heart,” she said.

Parents were not allowed to enter the dormitory, making it difficult for Minji’s mother to check on her. It was only a year later during a move that she was able to see the conditions her daughter was living in. “The dormitory was filled with mold in the corners and cockroaches everywhere. It was shocking,” she said. “Thinking about Minji enduring such harsh conditions in silence still breaks my heart.”

The environment was tough, but the endless waiting was even harder. “Like any trainee, it was a continuous wait. What made it worse for Minji was Source Music’s lack of explanation or plans for her future,” she recalled. Despite this, Minji worked late into the night, often commuting alone in the dark.

Minji’s mother revealed that Minji often had to return home alone after midnight. “They would make a 14-year-old girl commute alone after 2 AM without any security or support,” she said. Minji often called her mother in fear while walking home in the dark.

Minji was passionate about her studies. Afraid of missing school if she fell asleep, she would head straight to school after practice, often waiting at the school gate from 6 AM. However, Source Music pressured her to give up on her education. “When Minji was about to enter high school, they said it would be too hard to balance regular school and training and suggested she not attend,” her mother explained.

Despite the lack of future plans from Source Music, Minji insisted on continuing her education and managed to get into an arts high school with minimal preparation. “Minji’s strong will to pursue her dream kept her going in those harsh conditions,” her mother emphasized.

When Source Music became a HYBE label, there was hope Minji would debut with their first girl group. However, the sudden inclusion of a famous entertainer’s daughter in the debut lineup left Minji feeling discarded. Minji’s mother highlighted Min Hee-Jin’s commitment, saying, “Min Hee-Jin never abandoned the kids she took under her wing. This is how NewJeans came to be.”

“We signed with ADOR and have never thought of leaving. We are fully satisfied with ADOR,” Minji’s mother stressed. “The issue is HYBE’s harassment. In April, a barrage of articles targeted us like a witch hunt. How can we trust such a company?”

Hyein and Haerin’s Mothers: “We Were Misrepresented as Traitors”

Hyein and Haerin’s mothers also affirmed their commitment to ADOR and denied any plans to leave. They expressed frustration with being depicted as traitors in April by HYBE.

Hyein’s mother explained the circumstances under which they signed with Source Music. “We signed with Source Music because Big Hit (now HYBE) promised their first girl group and said Source Music was the only company that could take female trainees at the time. We were informed of this during the contract process. We welcomed the move to ADOR and Min Hee-Jin,” she said.

The mothers also highlighted that all members remember the neglect they experienced during their trainee days at Source Music. “There is significant evidence that HYBE has been mistreating NewJeans. Do they really want all this to be exposed?” they pointed out.

They also took issue with HYBE’s release of trainee videos without consent, questioning the company’s professionalism and ethics.

The mothers collectively urged HYBE to leave ADOR alone, stating, “We have never asked for special treatment. We simply want to be left in peace.”

Danielle’s Mother: “HYBE’s Response is Appalling, Who Leaked the Information?”

Danielle’s mother expressed her shock at the release of trainee videos and clarified that HYBE had changed its stance on debuting her daughter. “The initial contract promised that if Danielle joined the debut team, she would be part of HYBE’s first girl group. There was no mention of including members from an already debuted team,” she explained.

She found it baffling that HYBE claimed to be investigating the leak, despite the information being accessible only to them. “How can we trust a company that fails to protect its artists and responds so inadequately?” she questioned.

Parents Urge HYBE to Stop Attacks on ADOR

The parents collectively called on HYBE to stop spreading falsehoods. “Attention,” the debut song, was brought in by Min Hee-Jin and had no connection to Source Music. They expressed their outrage at the unauthorized release of private information and trainee videos, stating they had sent legal notices to Source Music and Dispatch.

The parents emphasized that their stance is unified, even including Hanni’s mother in Australia. They hope to end the ongoing conflict with HYBE, urging the company to cease its false narratives and leave ADOR in peace.

SEE ALSO: NewJeans and their parents express outrage over the unauthorized release of trainee videos