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    NewJeans faces uncertainty as Hanni’s visa expiry looms

    (ANN/KOREA HERALD) – NewJeans is expected to pause full-group activities for the next two to three months due to complications surrounding Vietnamese Australian member Hanni’s E-6 visa, which is set to expire next month. The visa is required for foreign nationals like Hanni to work legally as K-pop entertainers in South Korea.

    The situation is further complicated by an unresolved dispute between Hanni and her agency, Ador, regarding the expiration of her exclusive contract. This has created significant challenges in facilitating her visa renewal.

    Ador stated on Wednesday that it is preparing the necessary documentation to renew Hanni’s visa and maintained that her contract with the agency remains valid. However, despite the agency’s claims, the possibility of Hanni continuing her association with Ador seems uncertain. In November, NewJeans announced they would no longer work under Ador, leaving the group without a management agency.

    NewJeans. PHOTO: Ador via ANN/KOREA HERALD

    With the visa deadline fast approaching, rumors suggest Hanni has already left South Korea for Australia. If confirmed, this could indicate she is applying for a new E-6 visa from Australia before resuming her activities in Korea.

    The visa renewal process for foreign entertainers is known to be rigorous and lengthy. If Hanni’s visa renewal through Ador falls through, her new agency must provide comprehensive documentation, including a registered exclusive contract under the Pop Culture Industry Act, a CEO guarantee letter, and an employment recommendation from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. This process typically takes two to three months, further delaying NewJeans’ group activities.

    Adding to the controversy, allegations of illegal residency surfaced earlier this month, with claims that Hanni overstayed her visa after asserting that her contract with Ador had expired. While the Seoul Immigration Office declined to comment on specific details, it noted that residency status for E-6 visa holders is tied to employment contracts with domestic agencies.

    “As foreign national entertainers staying in Korea on an E-6 visa, their residency status and duration are determined based on their employment contracts with domestic agencies,” the immigration office said.

    The uncertainty surrounding Hanni’s visa and the group’s future has left fans concerned about NewJeans’ upcoming activities. Ador, however, has declined to comment on Hanni’s current location or plans, further fueling speculation about the group’s direction.

    The situation has raised questions about the complexities foreign artists face in navigating visa regulations and agency disputes in South Korea’s entertainment industry. For now, the future of Hanni and NewJeans remains unclear as the clock ticks down on her visa status.

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