Ador Under Police Investigation for Alleged Leak of NewJeans Hanni’s Visa Information

K-Pop agency Ador is currently under police investigation regarding serious allegations of unlawfully disclosing NewJeans member Hanni’s personal visa information to the media. This comes amidst the agency’s highly publicized contract dispute with the popular girl group, a situation that has deeply concerned fans and industry observers alike.

The Investigation Begins

The Seoul Yongsan Police Station confirmed on Tuesday that it has launched an inquiry into the matter. Attorney Park Kang-hoon, representing culture critic Kim Sung-soo, who filed a complaint against Ador and several employees, was questioned by investigators on Monday. The complaint alleges a violation of the Personal Information Protection Act.

Following his questioning, Park revealed that police focused on whether specific details, such as Hanni’s visa type and expiration date, legally qualify as protected personal information. Park argued, “The Personal Information Protection Act does not apply only to information that cannot be obtained elsewhere. If information belonging to an individual’s private sphere is disclosed through unauthorized channels, it may constitute a violation of the law.”

Allegations of Leveraging Personal Data

Park further alleged that a small number of Ador employees intentionally leaked internal details concerning Hanni’s visa extension process to various entertainment media outlets. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The agency was responsible for managing her immigration status, which is essential for any foreign national working in Korea, but instead used it as leverage. The investigation should determine who provided that information to the media.”

The complaint, filed by Kim Sung-soo on July 28, specifically cites the improper disclosure of Hanni’s visa category, expiration date, and details of her visa extension application. Kim highlighted that such sensitive information is typically accessible only to immigration authorities, the individual concerned, and the agency handling the application. He questioned how such private details could surface in media reports attributed to “anonymous music industry sources.”

Impact on Hanni’s Status and Public Reaction

A key allegation is that this information was leaked to support a narrative suggesting Hanni could face undocumented status in Korea if she were to depart from Ador during the height of the exclusive contract dispute. Hanni, who holds both Australian and Vietnamese citizenship, was working in Korea on an E-6 culture and entertainment visa. Reports emerged during the dispute claiming she could lose her legal status due to not meeting the visa’s sponsorship requirements if she left the agency. Fortunately, the controversy surrounding her visa status subsided after it was confirmed that Hanni had successfully obtained a new visa.

The public’s reaction to these allegations has been significant. Attorney Park disclosed that police were shown approximately 1,000 petitions submitted by concerned citizens and fans. These petitions strongly urge severe punishment for Ador if the allegations of unlawful disclosure are substantiated by the ongoing investigation.

NewJeans’ Future Amidst Controversy

Amidst these legal developments, NewJeans recently delighted fans by uploading their first group content in over a year. The group had suspended activities since their performance at ComplexCon Hong Kong in March 2025. While this new content has naturally sparked excitement and speculation about a potential comeback, Ador has clarified that no definitive decisions have been made regarding future activities. The agency stated that further details would be shared once discussions with the members have concluded.