K-Pop Industry Leaders Call for Resolution Amid Rising Disputes

On February 19, 2025, five major music organizations in South Korea, including the Korea Management Federation, the Korea Entertainment Producers Association, and the Korea Music Content Association, expressed concerns over the negative impact of public disputes, such as the recent controversy involving HYBE and former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin, on the K-Pop industry. They released a statement highlighting that individual conflicts, including Min's press conferences and NewJeans member Hani's attendance at a National Assembly audit, are escalating into broader issues affecting the entire K-Pop sector. A press conference titled 'Is K-Pop in Crisis? – Suggestions from Over 2,200 Record Producers / 'Without Producers, There is No K-Pop!' is scheduled for February 27.

The organizations emphasized that the public airing of conflicts between specific agencies and artists is leading to unverified allegations and subsequent regulations that could stifle the industry. They urged certain agencies and artists to cease reckless public campaigns and called on the National Assembly and government to provide policy support regarding these issues.

In November 2024, NewJeans members Minji, Hani, Daniel, Haerin, and Hyein held an emergency press conference claiming that Ador had violated their exclusive contract, unilaterally declaring its termination. Recently, they announced their new team name 'NJZ' through their official social media channels, furthering their unilateral actions.

The full statement from the five music organizations calls for an end to baseless public campaigns by some agencies and artists, urging the government to support policies aimed at eradicating 'tampering,' a key source of conflict.

1. To resolve these issues, it is essential to prioritize accurate fact-checking and thorough discussions among stakeholders over public opinion campaigns.

The ongoing disputes, particularly those involving Min Hee-jin and NewJeans, have not been resolved through private negotiations or legal processes but rather through public declarations and media coverage. This trend poses a significant threat to the K-Pop industry.

K-Pop, being a highly publicized industry, can easily be dominated by unverified allegations that spread across online platforms. Such claims can be accepted as facts without proper verification, leading to misconceptions within government bodies about the industry's self-regulatory capabilities.

For instance, following Hani's National Assembly appearance in October 2024, a bill prohibiting workplace harassment for artists was proposed. While it is crucial for artists to be respected in their work environments, there were also public criticisms suggesting that K-Pop artists were being used for sensationalism.

The organizations are advocating for a more effective system that considers the working conditions of artists and other K-Pop professionals, emphasizing the need for diverse voices in the industry to be heard.

If related legislation continues to pass without considering the entire industry, the K-Pop sector may face frequent regulatory impacts due to individual disputes, ultimately harming all participants in the industry.

2. They also called for the establishment of laws to prevent tampering in the music industry, similar to the semiconductor industry’s technology leak prevention laws.

The press conference held by NewJeans last year marked a significant moment where private disputes between artists and their agencies were excessively exposed to the media. This has led to situations where artists pursue independent activities before legal resolutions are reached, further complicating the industry.

It is crucial to address the issue of tampering, which can undermine agencies that have invested heavily in artists' future success. Tampering is often conducted discreetly, making it difficult to prove, and the lack of legal protections leaves the industry vulnerable to public opinion campaigns.

As allegations of tampering continue to surface, the K-Pop industry remains unprotected and susceptible to public scrutiny. It is time to recognize the serious threat that tampering poses to the K-Pop industry and to unite for its protection.

If successful tampering cases emerge, the entertainment management sector that supports K-Pop could collapse, leading to potential foreign capital interference that could strip the industry of its core assets and know-how.

Ultimately, the key to preventing tampering lies in the faithful execution of exclusive contracts. Just as laws have been established to protect critical technologies in other industries, similar measures must be taken to ensure the integrity of exclusive contracts in K-Pop.

The organizations stress the need for awareness among artists regarding their contracts. NewJeans, for example, has recently announced a new activity name while still under contract, raising concerns about the legal implications of such unilateral actions. If contracts are not legally protected and can be terminated by mere declarations, the foundation of the K-Pop industry will be jeopardized.

The National Assembly and government are urged to recognize that disputes related to tampering are not merely conflicts among industry stakeholders but represent a significant risk to one of South Korea's key industries, K-Pop.

The K-Pop industry has successfully navigated numerous challenges, from illegal downloads in the early 2000s to the pandemic in the 2020s. The year 2025 could be pivotal for K-Pop to overcome internal divisions and emerge as a proud cultural industry for South Korea, provided there is support and attention from the National Assembly, government, and various sectors.