[New Square 10] Declaring the termination of the exclusive contract after the conflict...Does the name "Newzins" disappear?

■ Host: Um Ji-min Anchor
■ Starring: Kim Heon-sik, pop culture critic

* The text below may differ from the actual broadcast content, so please check the broadcast for more accurate information. Please specify [YTN New Square] when quoting.

[Anchor]
Group Newzins, which has been in conflict with its agency, eventually announced the termination of its exclusive contract. Let's analyze the final choice made by the New Jeans members and what kind of repercussions there will be in the future with Kim Heon-sik, a pop culture critic.
Welcome. Yesterday, the members of Newzins held an emergency press conference late at night, and we will first listen to the members' stories and come back.

[Anchor]
Yesterday's press conference lasted about 40 minutes, and the agency prepared it in secret without knowing. What was the core of the story that the members told yesterday?

[Kim Heon-sik]
Not long ago, the deadline was 14 days, so I received the proof of contents, and it was a very serious situation. It was yesterday's press conference that we held a press conference at 8:30 p.m. on the 29th to clarify our position before the overseas schedule.

[Anchor]
Each member took turns and said something. Was there any part of the members' stories that stood out yesterday?

[Kim Heon-sik]
First of all, what's important is that we're not making any more progress, so we're not talking, especially. But what's important is that I'm doing an audit at Hive with Min Hee-jin, the floor leader, and I raised issues related to breach of trust and embezzlement. After that, Min Hee-jin refuted one by one through a press conference.

In the process, various issues of unfair treatment by Newzins emerged, and the National Audit Office came out to discuss what unfair actions were taken. In that regard, I talked about it one by one, and I emphasized that I will continue to work as I cancel my exclusive contract in the future.

[Anchor]
Odor immediately contradicted him about an hour after the NewsGene's press conference, what did he say?

[Kim Heon-sik]
First of all, what's important is the point of contention. For example, Min Hee-jin's return, the manager who told Hani to ignore it, the video data used without the members' consent, the director who participated in the music video's deletion, the unique color and work of Newzins, and the first part that was mentioned was Newbogie.

This was a very sharp debate about whether decision-making would be made overall, excluding Newgene's, but Adore's position was that they would tie up LeCeraphim with those groups that exceeded 1 million copies, for example, by comparing it to Black Pink, not abandoning Newgene's.

Also, even in the case of dismissive remarks, they are employees of other companies, so in the case of Hive, it is a multi-label system. Therefore, he emphasized that he is not directly related to the fact that he is the manager of another such label called Billifrap. In the case of CCBB, he said that there is no problem with this data, and then the conclusion is that the disciplinary action against this manager is too much.

In addition, photos and videos of Newzins' trainee days were leaked, and this spread. However, in this regard, it was published and distributed by a third party, so it is not an internally delete part, but we are making efforts. In terms of pushing out the album, this push can be distributed to distributors in advance so that it cannot be returned to fans who really need it, and in this regard, the concept of pushing out is unclear and not real, according to Odor.

And regarding the music video I mentioned earlier, director Shin usually released directing cuts and videos for fans, but suddenly the door management changed and asked to delete all of these things.

However, in the case of Adore, it's a copyright law measure and I'm not asking you to delete everything, so there's no problem. In terms of guarantees related to Newzins' activities, Adore is currently pushing for a domestic fan meeting, a regular album, and a world tour plan next year, but artists are not cooperating.

Some pointed out that another girl group copied the concept of New Jeans and such, but in this regard, former CEO Min has not submitted any specific evidence so far, and that's all that Billifrap has expressed.

Lastly, in the case of former CEO Min Hee-jin's return to management, it is done by the board of directors in principle, and even if it is not managed, the production side has taken measures to act as a producer, but now former CEO Min Hee-jin has quit anyway, so he has sent a 26-page proof of content, saying that there is no reason to blame.

[Anchor]
You've pointed out the Newzins' request for correction and Adore's rebuttal to it, but in fact, the positions of the two sides are sharply divided. Therefore, if the two separate, there are still a lot of active and contract periods left, and this is what will happen to the penalty issue. How does the industry see it?

[Kim Heon-sik]
Usually, idol groups sign a seven-year contract. So, Newzins signed a contract in July 2022. Then, we have to be active until July 2029. So overall, but it's a situation where we have a contract period of about five years. However, if the contract is unilaterally terminated, it is estimated that the penalty will be at least 300 billion to 600 billion, which is based on the principle of the Fair Trade Commission's standard exclusive contract.

So, based on the termination of the contract, it is multiplied by the average monthly sales for two years and the remaining months of the contract. Since Odor's sales last year are about 110 billion won, the general analysis is that it should pay a penalty of as little as 300 billion won or as much as 600 billion won because it should calculate the contribution of Newzins. [Anchor] And I'm also interested in whether Newzins will be able to leave his agency, Adore, and be with former CEO Min Hee-jin in the future. I talked about this yesterday, too. Let's listen to it.

[Anchor]
I said that I want to be with former CEO Min Hee-jin if possible in the future. He also expressed his attachment to the group name of Newzins. But if the contract is terminated in the future, isn't it difficult to use the group name Newzins afterwards?

[Kim Heon-sik]
It's hard to use. This is because the agency registers separately as a trademark name. So, Newzins has already applied for and registered under the name of Adore in 2022. Therefore, if Adore cancels the exclusive contract and Newzins is active, the name Newzins cannot be used.

So in other cases, Brave Girls can't use their names, so they changed their names to V-girls. But actually, since it has already been recognized by many fans, it can be seen that its expandability may be a little less. On the other hand, in the case of Infinity, there are cases where it ended well because the agency transferred it to use it.

So if Hive or Adore and Newzins agree well, you can use the group name Newzins, but it's not very likely right now. So I think it will lead to a situation where we have to name it separately in a form that can resemble other concepts that can be reminiscent of Newzins in a way.

[Anchor]
I see. Let's change the subject. The controversy over Jung Woo-sung's extramarital affair has been very interesting all week, but the Blue Dragon Film Festival is being held today. I said I would attend this first, but as the controversy grew, the agency said it would think twice. What do you think? Will you come out today?

[Kim Heon-sik]
First of all, I was nominated for the Best Actor Award at the Blue Dragon Film Festival. But in fact, a film festival does not give each candidate this time to clarify their position. Once you receive the Best Actor Award, you will be given time to reveal your personal feelings, but the important thing is the possibility of winning the award.

So there are about five candidates right now. In the case of Jung Woo-sung, his recognition has increased a lot through the spring of Seoul, and this spring has nominated two candidates for the Best Actor Award. Jung Woo-jung and Hwang Jung-min were nominated, and Choi Min-sik of Parmyo was nominated again, Lee Sung-min of Handsome Guy and Lee Je-hoon of Escape.

In terms of box office success and cinematic quality, I think Jung Woo-sung, who played the main character, is more likely to win the award than the villain, because Seoul's spring has about two candidates. However, if you don't win the award, it's not effective whether you attend the Blue Dragon Film Awards or not. So, I haven't expressed my position yet, but I think internally, I'll make a decision depending on whether or not I'll win the award.

[Anchor]
If we win the award, shall we say our acceptance speech and say our position?

[Kim Heon-sik]
In my view, there are now public opinions for and against the public. Overall, for example, there was a case where negative public opinion was very high because of Kim Hyun-joong's case or conflict with the other party.

Rather, there is a slightly friendly aspect, so it is a hot point of debate in that regard, so it is highly likely that it will not be an obstacle to future activities if you express your position, so it is necessary to mention it in any way and I think you will have to do so.

[Anchor]
This is Jung Woo-sung's personal life, but he's very famous and influential, so overseas media are also interested. How are you seeing this incident in the foreign media now?

[Kim Heon-sik]
For example, the BBC reported it as a representative. First of all, I mentioned that the standards for celebrities and stars in Korea are very high. However, it is mentioned that the perception of non-married children is that Korean society is changing a little more than before.

That's why in our society as a whole, if we do a poll or survey now, we tend to answer the issue prospectively with unmarried children. However, there is a problem that may be different in real life. Therefore, foreign media are also interested in how forward-looking Korean society will change through Jung Woo-sung's case this time.

[Anchor]
After Jung Woo-sung admitted to extramarital people, there were a lot of reports and photos related to his personal life on social media. How will it affect Jung Woo Sung's activities in the future?

[Kim Heon-sik]
First of all, these are a little worrisome because there are peripheral aspects related to personal privacy and there are sharing of content that is close to criminal acts. Overall, individuals have chosen to decide their happiness and future, and many people seem to be worried that many other similar cases will spread in addition to saying that it has an influence on the non-marriage issue.

What's important is that Jung Woo-sung's activities will be very important in the future. So, I think we should express our position on the responsibility and the extent to which we are responsible. When such actions are taken, I think there will be no obstacles to future work or social activities.

[Anchor]
Let's stop here. So far, we have been with pop culture critic Kim Heon-sik. Thank you.