Sourcemusic has issued a correction regarding NewJeans' claim that they received differential treatment compared to another group, Le Sserafim, under the label of HYBE.
On the afternoon of the 7th, Sourcemusic, the agency of Le Sserafim, stated through their official SNS, "We would like to clarify the facts regarding the claims made today about our company and our artists."
The legal representative of NewJeans stated during a hearing at the Seoul Central District Court regarding the injunction filed by Ador against the five members of NewJeans (NJZ) for the preservation of their status as artists and prohibition of advertising contract signing, "All issues, including HYBE's media play, the Ailet plagiarism controversy, the restructuring that excluded NewJeans, and conflicts with external partners, have concentrated between 2023 and 2024," and claimed, "No other group under HYBE's labels has experienced such issues except for NewJeans (NJZ)."
In particular, NewJeans claimed there was discrimination against them compared to Le Sserafim, which is under the HYBE label Sourcemusic, stating, "HYBE planned to debut NewJeans as 'HYBE's first girl group.' With this expectation, former CEO Min Hee-jin joined HYBE," and added, "However, after the evaluation for NewJeans (NJZ) ended in March 2021, they were neglected until September of the same year. During that time, Sourcemusic recruited Sakura, Kim Chaewon, and Heo Yujin and debuted Le Sserafim without any prior explanation."
Furthermore, NewJeans claimed there was discrimination in the 'brand ambassador selection process,' stating, "Hyein was selected as a specific brand ambassador, but later, Le Sserafim was suddenly added as an ambassador for the same brand," and reported, "Upon checking with the brand, it was revealed that HYBE had made a direct request, and the brand apologized, believing that they had sought prior consent from NewJeans."
In response to NewJeans' claims, they stated, "Le Sserafim did not receive any preferential treatment or unfair benefits in the process of being selected as ambassadors for a specific brand. The relationship with the brand began when Sakura signed a contract with them in April 2022," and explained, "At that time, a mutually satisfactory collaboration resulted, leading to discussions about the possibility of expanding to a team unit ambassador through the brand's Japanese office, which was conducted entirely independently of other artists."
They continued, "This can be sufficiently proven through objective data, and we clearly state that we can provide evidence at any time as needed for legal purposes."
Additionally, the agency stated that the claims regarding the debut timing and process of NewJeans are also very different from objective facts, saying, "We spared no effort in supporting NewJeans members until the point they were transferred to Ador for their debut preparations. Nevertheless, due to former CEO Min Hee-jin spreading false information at a press conference last April, we filed a damage claim against her in July, and the lawsuit is currently ongoing," and expressed, "We deeply regret the unilateral claims made without any minimum effort to ascertain the accurate facts, and we expect that baseless unilateral claims will be corrected through future trials."
The agency pointed out that mentioning the real names of artists based on unverified and inaccurate information is an irresponsible and serious act that should not be done to any artist, stating, "This not only leads to fellow artists being criticized through unilateral claims but also instills incorrect perceptions in fans and the public, creating an environment where baseless claims unrelated to the accurate facts run rampant."
Finally, the agency emphasized, "We take this situation very seriously and will take all necessary legal actions to correct it."
Hello, this is Sourcemusic.
We are stating our position to correct the facts regarding the claims made today about our company and our artists.
Le Sserafim did not receive any preferential treatment or unfair benefits in the process of being selected as ambassadors for a specific brand. The relationship with the brand began when Sakura signed a contract with them in April 2022. At that time, a mutually satisfactory collaboration resulted, leading to discussions about the possibility of expanding to a team unit ambassador through the brand's Japanese office, which was conducted entirely independently of other artists. This can be sufficiently proven through objective data, and we clearly state that we can provide evidence at any time as needed for legal purposes.
Additionally, the claims regarding the debut timing and process of NewJeans are also very different from objective facts. We spared no effort in supporting NewJeans members until the point they were transferred to Ador for their debut preparations. Nevertheless, due to former CEO Min Hee-jin spreading false information at a press conference last April, we filed a damage claim against her in July, and the lawsuit is currently ongoing. We deeply regret the unilateral claims made without any minimum effort to ascertain the accurate facts, and we expect that baseless unilateral claims will be corrected through future trials.
Mentioning the real names of artists based on unverified and inaccurate information is an irresponsible and serious act that should not be done to any artist. This not only leads to fellow artists being criticized through unilateral claims but also instills incorrect perceptions in fans and the public, creating an environment where baseless claims unrelated to the accurate facts run rampant.
We take this situation very seriously and will take all necessary legal actions to correct it.
Thank you.
Sourcemusic Dream
[Geum Bitna, MK Sports Reporter]
