There was speculation that the Vietnamese-Australian member was staying in South Korea illegally. Photo: NewJeans/Instagram
The parents of NJZ, formerly known as NewJeans, said the K-pop girl group’s Vietnamese-Australian member Hanni had obtained a new visa, amid speculation that she was staying in South Korea illegally.
“We would like to clarify the facts to prevent further misinformation,” the parents said on Instagram on Feb 12. “Hanni obtained a new visa yesterday (Feb 11) through proper legal procedures.”
Hanni’s E-6 visa, which allows foreign entertainers to work in South Korea, reportedly expired early in February. The issue has been at the centre of controversy, as it would directly affect NJZ’s planned musical activities over the coming months.
Without an extension, Hanni, 20, would have been unable to continue working as a K-pop singer in South Korea, raising concerns about the girl group’s future promotions and scheduling.
The quintet also comprises Minji, 20; Danielle, 19; Haerin, 18; and Hyein, 16.
The parents had set up a temporary Instagram account on Jan 30 to clarify facts on NJZ’s ongoing dispute with the group’s label Ador, as they claimed that their position had been misrepresented or negatively reported in media coverage.
The girl group announced in November 2024 that they would unilaterally terminate their contracts with Ador, a music subsidiary of South Korean entertainment company Hybe.
The parents said that Ador pressured them by using Hanni’s visa status as leverage. The agency reportedly emailed them a warning that Hanni could risk illegal residency if they refused to sign a visa-extension consent form listing Ador as the affiliated company.
The parents also expressed regret over the excessive use of the term “illegal resident” in South Korean media reports, saying it fuelled false rumours and had triggered unnecessary public complaints.
Hanni was recently reported as an illegal resident in a complaint filed via the South Korean government’s online petition service “ePeople”, run by the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission.
“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 parents said on Feb 12.
“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.” – The Korea Herald/Asia News Network
