HYBE was named as a leading workplace company by the Ministry of Employment and Labor in 2024. However, the label is now being accused of covering up the death of an employee in the workplace.
HYBE covered up death of employee in workplace?
During the National Assembly audit, held on October 15, HYBE was questioned about covering up the death of an employee. The staff member had reportedly died due to overworking in September 2022. According to Rep. Jung Hye-kyung, a HYBE employee had collapsed in the middle of the office while working overtime. Although the employee was rushed to the hospital they passed away soon after. The incident was allegedly not classified as an industrial accident.
"The entertainment industry is notorious for overworking its staff under the pretence of passion," Jung Hye-kyung said during the audit, before adding, "HYBE should be providing the correct environment for people as a leader in the industry, but so many young people are having their dreams held hostage and pushed to the limit instead."
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However, ADOR's new CEO Kim Ju-young refuted the lawmaker's claim, saying, "To my understanding, they went to a sleeping room to take a rest in 2022. They said that they would rest a little and come back, but they unfortunately collapsed. We found them and transferred them to the hospital, but they unfortunately died due to their own personal illness." The ADOR CEO also stated that no autopsy had been conducted "due to the family's wishes."
About National Assembly's audit
The National Assembly’s Environment and Labour Committee held an audit that focused on workplace bullying and harassment on October 15. Among the 35 individuals selected to speak at the audit were NewJeans’ Hanni and ADOR’s new CEO Kim Ju-young. They duo were summoned by the committee after Hanni claimed that a HYBE staff member had asked another group from the label to ‘ignore her.’