logo
Parents of NewJeans confirm Hanni's new visa, criticize media over privacy breaches

Parents of NewJeans confirm Hanni's new visa, criticize media over privacy breaches

Korea Herald13-02-2025

Parents denounce media's handling of personal information
The parents of girl group NJZ, formerly known as NewJeans, announced Wednesday via a joint social media account that Vietnamese Australian member Hanni had obtained a new visa on Tuesday through 'proper legal procedures.'
They also raised concerns over speculative reports published by local media outlets regarding Hanni's residency status in South Korea, criticizing a lack of verification and fact-checking.
'There has been a flood of speculative reports about Hanni's residency status in Korea yesterday and today, leading to the spread of false information. We would like to clarify the facts to prevent further misinformation,' the NJZ parents said. 'Hanni obtained a new visa yesterday (Feb. 11) through proper legal procedures.'
On Jan. 31, the parents created a temporary Instagram account to clarify facts and express their stance on NJZ's ongoing dispute with Ador, a music subsidiary of Hybe, claiming their position had been misrepresented or negatively cited in previous coverage. Ador is NJZ's former agency.
The parents further argued that Ador pressured them by using Hanni's visa status as leverage, a particularly sensitive issue for foreign residents in Korea. The agency reportedly emailed them a warning that if they refused to sign a visa extension consent form listing Ador as the affiliated company, Hanni could risk illegal residency.
Hanni's E-6 visa, which allows foreign entertainers to work in South Korea, reportedly expired early this month. The issue has been at the center of controversy, as it would directly affect NJZ's planned musical activities over the coming months. Without an extension, Hanni would have been unable to continue working as a K-pop singer here, raising concerns about the group's future promotions and scheduling.
The parents also expressed regret over the excessive use of the term 'illegal resident' in local media reports based on unverified information, arguing it fueled false rumors and had even triggered unnecessary public complaints.
Hanni, who holds dual Australian and Vietnamese citizenship, was reported as an illegal resident in a complaint filed via the government's online petition service 'e-People,' run by the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission, on Jan. 10. This followed the unilateral termination of NJZ's exclusive contract with Ador in November, which had initially secured her visa since her debut in 2022.
'Over the past two days alone, nearly 70 articles have been published speculating on Hanni's visa type and expiration date -- private details with no obligation to be disclosed -- resulting in a serious infringement of her rights,' the NJZ parents said.
'It is deeply regrettable that such sensitive personal information, which could only have been provided by Ador apart from the individual herself, has been indiscriminately spread through the media.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Road to Yeoncheon lined with love as BTS' Jimin, Jungkook are discharged
Road to Yeoncheon lined with love as BTS' Jimin, Jungkook are discharged

Korea Herald

timean hour ago

  • Korea Herald

Road to Yeoncheon lined with love as BTS' Jimin, Jungkook are discharged

Hundreds of fans gather in a town nearly 80 kilometers from Seoul to mark the occasion YEONCHEON, Gyeonggi Province — Just a day after RM and V were discharged from the military, fellow BTS members Jimin and Jungkook stood before a crowd of some 500 fans Wednesday morning at Yeoncheon Public Stadium in Gyeonggi Province, marking the end of their 18-month mandatory military service. Wearing their uniforms, the two arrived in a black vehicle and stepped out to a roaring welcome from local and international fans. They saluted and shouted 'Unity!' before offering brief words of thanks, both appearing bashful as they reconnected with their supporters after a long absence. 'It's been quite a long time, from COVID-19 to military service,' Jimin said. 'Thank you so much for waiting. I think we can pick up where we left off and keep painting the picture we've been working on. We'll prepare even better things to show you.' Reflecting on his service, he added, 'It was my first time in the military, and honestly, it wasn't that easy. If you ever see soldiers passing by, I'd be very grateful if you could offer them kind words.' Jungkook, smiling shyly, said, 'It's been a while since I've stood in front of cameras. I didn't even put on makeup today, so I feel a bit awkward and don't really know what to say.' He added, 'To my fellow soldiers and seniors who finished their service earlier — thank you for enduring everything together with us.' Due to the large turnout, the two completed their remarks in just under 20 minutes before boarding their vehicle and leaving the site. Enlisting together, discharging side by side Jimin and Jungkook enlisted together in December 2023 as active-duty soldiers in the Army's 5th Infantry Division. Jimin served as an artilleryman and Jungkook as a cook. Both completed their service in the same unit, with their discharge ceremony held at 8:00 a.m., an hour earlier than RM and V's 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday. Despite the early hour, fans from around the world filled the area near the event site, waving banners and fan sticks in support of the two stars. Some even climbed to the low rooftop of the stadium next to the open ground where the two K-pop stars appeared, trying to get a better view of the pair. Although the discharge location and time were officially released only to media outlets, news had already spread after RM and V's ceremony the day before, leading fans to travel nearly 80 kilometers from Seoul to Yeoncheon in hopes of catching a glimpse of Jimin and Jungkook. From the moment fans entered Yeoncheon from Seoul, celebratory banners stretched along the road, spaced every 50 meters. Each carried personal and passionate messages such as, 'Jimin, we love you. Congratulations on your discharge,' 'We've waited for this day when Jimin comes to catch us,' and 'Golden treasure Jungkook, time to soar again.' A Brazilian fan, who requested anonymity, shared, 'This is my first time in Korea and I had never even heard of this town before, but I just had to come to see Jimin.' Another fan from Indonesia said, 'I'm so happy Jimin has returned safe and healthy. Now that he's back with us, I feel so happy again.' Full-group appearance expected soon Ahead of their much-anticipated musical return as a group, fans are likely to see all the BTS members except for Suga together soon. The group will hold their annual debut anniversary event, '2025 BTS Festa,' at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on June 13 and 14. On those same days, J-Hope's solo encore concert is scheduled at nearby Goyang Sports Complex, raising expectations that the other members may appear as guests. Meanwhile, Suga, who is currently serving as a social service worker, is set to be discharged on June 21.

Hybe brings K-pop competition formula to Latin music scene
Hybe brings K-pop competition formula to Latin music scene

Korea Herald

time2 hours ago

  • Korea Herald

Hybe brings K-pop competition formula to Latin music scene

A new television series on Telemundo, an American Spanish-language network, recorded the highest viewership rating among other shows broadcast in Spanish. 'Pase A La Fama,' which translates as "a step towards a dream," drew close to 690,000 viewers. Premiered on Sunday, the show not only features A-list judges — Ana Barbara, Adriel Favela and Horacio Palencia — but also impressive prizes: a record deal with Hybe Latin America, a chance to debut as a band in Mexico, and $100,000 in cash. To claim the reward, competitors have to survive months of 'training, performing and facing challenges' to become one of the five finalists. Finding gems in the rough and watching them grow and pursue their dreams with the help of mentors may sound familiar to K-pop fans. Hybe Latin America seeks to fuse the popular formula into the Latin music scene, nurturing local talent for the global music scene.

World's most popular TikTok star Khaby Lame leaves the US after being detained by ICE
World's most popular TikTok star Khaby Lame leaves the US after being detained by ICE

Korea Herald

time4 hours ago

  • Korea Herald

World's most popular TikTok star Khaby Lame leaves the US after being detained by ICE

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Khaby Lame, the world's most popular TikTok personality with millions of followers, has left the US after being detained by immigration agents in Las Vegas for allegedly overstaying his visa. The Senegalese-Italian influencer, whose legal name is Seringe Khabane Lame, was detained Friday at Harry Reid International Airport but was allowed to leave the country without a deportation order, a spokesperson for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed in a statement. Lame arrived in the US on April 30 and "overstayed the terms of his visa," the ICE spokesperson said. The Associated Press sent a message seeking comment Tuesday to the email address listed on Lame's Instagram account. He has not publicly commented on his detainment. His detainment and voluntary departure from the US comes amid President Donald Trump's escalating crackdown on immigration, including raids in Los Angeles that sparked days of protests against ICE, as the president tests the bounds of his executive authority. A voluntary departure — which was granted to Lame — allows those facing removal from the US to avoid a deportation order on their immigration record, which could prevent them from being allowed back into the US for up to a decade. The 25-year-old rose to international fame during the pandemic without ever saying a word in his videos, which would show him reacting to absurdly complicated "life hacks." He has over 162 million followers on TikTok alone. The Senegal-born influencer moved to Italy when he was an infant with his working class parents and has Italian citizenship. His internet fame quickly evolved. He signed a multi-year partnership with designer brand Hugo Boss in 2022. In January, he was appointed as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store