“Hiatus Like A Mandatory Military Service?” K-netizens Wonder How Lengthy NewJeans’ Sabbatical Will Be As The HYBE CEO Allegedly Scheduled A Long Vacation.

A NewJeans member’s father told a media outlet on May 13 that HYBE’s CEO, Park Ji Won, planned to give the members a long hiatus. This discovery has raised concerns about the group’s future interactions. The parent told Ilgan Sports, “He (CEO) also mentioned that after the Tokyo Dome event, he planned to give NewJeans a long vacation,” adding, “I didn’t ask how long the break would be, but CEO Park said, ‘It usually takes about a year and a half to recruit a Grammy-winning producer, but we’ll try to do it as quickly as possible.'” When we came out, the moms were saying, ‘Since he claimed it takes 1 year 6 months to hire a Grammy-winning producer, and he’s trying to do it as quickly as possible, does that mean the break would be approximately that long?’ Next time we meet, we’ll discuss it.” Ms. A stated in the interview, “We clearly told HYBE that we want NewJeans to continue with CEO Min (Min Hee Jin), a sentiment all five members’ mothers share.”

Ms. A addressed fears about HYBE neglecting idols without CEO Min, saying, “A NewJeans world tour next year was announced by CEO Min before this issue happened. Talking about a long holiday…” Korean netizens speculated how long NewJeans may go offline if they were given a break after hearing the news. This netizen even compared their potential hiatus to mandatory military duty. South Korean legislation requires most able-bodied men to serve 18–21 months in the military. Thus, Korean netizens worry that HYBE may compel NewJeans to take a military-style break, which could lead to the group’s slow disbandment. Netizens in Korea urged releasing New Jeans. “They are so crazy, they would definitely leave NewJeans in the storage and let them discontinue their activities.” “That’s so trash.” “This is giving me worries about the girls.” “They’re thinking that if they keep NewJeans in storage their other groups would make it big.” “They are giving the girls a long break without any ill intent?” “Please let NewJeans go.” Even Min Hee JIn believed the girls did nothing wrong. I understand Min Hee Jin’s anger.