NewJeans' Hani Clears Up Immigration Concerns with New Visa

Hani of the group NewJeans has resolved suspicions regarding her immigration status. On February 12, the parents of all five members announced via their newly created account that Hani received a new visa through proper channels on February 11. They expressed concerns about the pressure exerted by Ador, her former agency, which sent emails demanding signatures on extension agreements, warning that refusal could lead to illegal residency. They criticized Ador for submitting documents requiring personal information and signatures without consent, leading to a serious breach of privacy. They are considering legal action regarding the potential leak of personal data.

NewJeans declared the termination of their exclusive contract with Ador in November last year due to contract violations, which raised questions about Hani's visa status. If the contract with Ador is indeed over, it is argued that the E-6 visa, which requires an exclusive contract with an agency, would also be invalidated. Reports surfaced on February 12 that Hani had refused to sign visa extension documents prepared by Ador, despite her visa expiring earlier this month.

In response, her parents clarified that Hani has obtained a new visa, but this does not necessarily mean she can resume her entertainment activities in South Korea. The type of visa she received remains undisclosed, as NewJeans stated it is personal information they are not obligated to reveal. There are speculations that she may have received a G-1 visa, which grants temporary residency but does not allow for entertainment activities.

Even if Hani obtained an E-6 visa through another route, it could still pose issues. The law governing the domestic popular culture industry requires several documents, including an exclusive contract, a business registration certificate, a guarantee from the agency's representative, and a recommendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Since the contract dispute between NewJeans and Ador is not fully resolved, obtaining a visa through another company could be seen as a breach of contract.

Additionally, legal proceedings against Ador are set to begin, with the first hearing regarding the injunction against NewJeans scheduled for March 7, and the first trial for the confirmation of the contract's validity on April 3.

Currently, the members are focusing on overseas activities under the name NJZ rather than NewJeans. In an interview with TV Asahi on February 8, they expressed their disappointment over the lack of media support in Korea, stating, "There are very few media outlets in Korea that amplify our voices. We will not give up and will continue to enjoy our activities." They also announced their participation in ComplexCon in Hong Kong in March, where they will debut a new song as NJZ.