Hanni really hoping that parliament will come through. NewJeans star tells South Korean lawmakers it's time to tackle bullying in K-pop.
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00:00Hani, please say a few words to your fans.
00:03Even if I don't say anything, my fans know how I feel, so there's no need to say anything.
00:08Hani is one of the biggest stars in the multi-billion dollar K-pop industry,
00:12but climbing the charts in this cutthroat world takes its toll.
00:15Artists are expected to maintain a flawless public image and deal with intensely demanding bosses.
00:20Today, she's addressing South Korea's parliament to call for change,
00:23especially when it comes to bullying within the industry.
00:27She says her group, New Genes, has had it especially rough,
00:30victims of an ugly record label dispute.
00:33There have been accusations of sabotage, and Hani says on at least one occasion,
00:37an executive has told staff to ignore her and her bandmates.
00:40Hani says she's speaking out because she wants the industry to change.
00:56I don't think there's a problem with bullying at work.
01:02The head of New Genes' record label told lawmakers
01:04it had not found evidence to back up Hani's accusations,
01:07and that it is reviewing the situation.
01:10I will listen to the voices of the artists, including Hani,
01:16and I will protect the rights of the artists,
01:24so that they can pursue their dreams and hopes.
01:30It's highly unusual for industry insiders, the stars or their managers,
01:34to so openly discuss long-running accusations of high pressure and bullying,
01:38pressure that has led to the suicide of performers on multiple occasions.
01:42But stars like Hani hope their public testimony will shine more light
01:45on the darkness in the K-pop behemoth.
01:48Kama Hsu and John Van Triest for Taiwan Plus.