Fans of NewJeans are closely watching as the group's member Hanni finds herself at the center of a serious privacy controversy involving her agency, ADOR. On July 28, cultural critic Kim Seongsu announced that he filed a criminal complaint against ADOR and some of its executives, accusing them of leaking Hanni's visa information during a heated contract dispute. Police have not yet announced whether they will formally charge the agency.
Hanni, who is Vietnamese-Australian, appeared as a witness at a National Assembly hearing on October 15, 2024, demonstrating her engagement beyond the entertainment scene. However, the current issue focuses on the unauthorized disclosure of her personal visa details, which has sparked significant concern among fans and privacy advocates.
Cultural critic Kim Seongsu revealed that he filed a criminal complaint against ADOR and its staff for violating the Personal Information Protection Act. He stated that the agency leaked Hanni's visa information to the media amid ongoing contract disagreements, breaching her privacy rights.
More troublingly, Kim stressed that ADOR allegedly used this visa information to label Hanni as an "illegal resident," an accusation that could severely damage her reputation and career. This move appeared to be a tactic to undermine Hanni during the dispute, escalating tensions between the artist and her agency.
Reports indicate that Hanni's original visa expired during the contract conflict with ADOR. After leaving the agency, she faced difficulties meeting visa issuance requirements, which led to media speculation about her potential undocumented status.
This case highlights the sensitive handling required for personal information in the entertainment industry, especially amid legal battles between artists and agencies. The complaint puts a spotlight on how personal information is handled during agency disputes.
