LE SSERAFIM Fans Demand Separation from NewJeans Amidst Comeback Announcement

The fanbase of the K-pop group LE SSERAFIM has called for a separation from NewJeans following the latter's comeback announcement.

On the 14th, some LE SSERAFIM fans staged a truck protest in front of HYBE's headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul.

The truck's LED display featured messages such as "Separate the real perpetrator and the real victim, LE SSERAFIM," "HYBE must actively sue the malicious comments from the perpetrator fandom," "Is this real workplace bullying?" and "HYBE must separate from NewJeans who defamed LE SSERAFIM in court."

Recently, NewJeans announced their return with five members under ADOR, confirming that Haerin and Hyein will resume activities with the label. This has seemingly intensified the dissatisfaction among LE SSERAFIM fans, leading to the truck protest.

Previously, NewJeans had made several derogatory remarks about HYBE and its artists during their dispute with ADOR. Min Hee-jin, the former ADOR representative, held a press conference where she openly criticized LE SSERAFIM and another group, ILLIT, claiming that HYBE broke its promise to debut NewJeans as their first girl group, tarnishing LE SSERAFIM's image.

As a result of these claims, LE SSERAFIM, despite not being directly involved in the dispute, was exposed to negative public perception and received mocking and malicious comments on various platforms. This led to a long-standing conflict between the two fandoms, with NewJeans being labeled as the 'neglected Cinderella' and LE SSERAFIM as the 'stepsister.'

NewJeans had previously aligned with Min's claims, using them as a basis to terminate their exclusive contract with ADOR, alleging discrimination and restraint by HYBE among its groups, and accusing ADOR of failing to prevent it.

In a recent court ruling, none of NewJeans' claims were upheld, with the court affirming that "NewJeans is under ADOR."

Choi Ji-ye, TenAsia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr