New Jeans, controversy over nuisance filming… Agency: “Unfounded”

The group New Jeans was embroiled in a 'controversy over abuse of power' for blocking roads and taking away citizens' cell phones while filming a music video in Taiwan. The agency Adore's position on this is "unfounded."

On the 1st, local media, including Taiwanese media outlet ET Today, continued to claim, mainly through online communities and social networking services (SNS), that New Genes abused power by filming without permission on a roadside in Taiwan.

New Jeans filmed the music video on the streets of Taipei, Taiwan on the 30th of last month. The filming locations are known to be Taipei's famous attractions such as Xingtai Park, Xinhai Station, and famous restaurants.

In response, one netizen claimed, “When nearby passers-by took pictures, the staff checked their cell phones one by one,” and “In scenes filmed at a crosswalk, people trying to cross the street were asked to turn back.”

Another netizen said, “The road was closed and the parking space was fenced off,” and “The attitude of the surrounding staff was very arrogant.”

The on-site staff who saw the posts said on their social media, "Sorry, but since it is a private schedule, please do not post personal photos or posts. We are also trying to not close the streets and block people as much as possible." did. Afterwards, as criticism intensified, the post was deleted.

Additionally, claims were made that the Labor Standards Act was violated in the process of recruiting extras and other filming staff. Prior to filming the music video, New Jeans posted a 'Recruitment of Korean Girl Group Extras' through a staffing agency. However, the wage was 650 Taiwanese dollars (about 27,500 Korean Won) for 7 hours of work, which violated local minimum wage standards. In addition, they had to sign a model rights contract and confidentiality clause, but some pointed out that this was excessive.

Adore, the agency, completely denies the controversy. Adore said, “We received official permission to film from Taiwan’s city hall and police, and we proceeded with filming within the scope of the permission.” He added, “At the time, the on-site staff were holding pickets asking them not to take pictures, but no pictures were taken in the filming control area.” “There were people taking pictures,” he said.

In addition, he explained, "In this case, we politely requested that the photo be deleted on site, and everyone cooperated. There was no yelling or rude treatment at the filming site at the time."

Reporter Junho Yoon, Ten Asia delo410@tenasia.co.kr