83 Artists “Banned” from Interacting with NewJeans? Viral List Highlights Fallout

K-pop fans were recently sent into a frenzy after a so-called list of “83 artists banned from interacting with NewJeans” began circulating widely online.

This buzz follows the latest twist in the ongoing saga surrounding NewJeans, who announced their return to HYBE after a prolonged legal dispute that divided their fandom and the public. However, only Haerin and Hyein have officially reached an agreement with their agency, ADOR. Meanwhile, Minji, Hanni, and Danielle declared their return independently—potentially without ADOR’s full approval—raising concerns about group unity and management consent.

As all five members now “backtrack” and return to the label, public sympathy has shifted to sarcasm. Netizens no longer express concern but ridicule. Social media has erupted with conspiracy theories and criticism, accusing NewJeans of flip-flopping and lacking professionalism, with some even dubbing them a “microwave group”—a jab at their repeated back-and-forth legal stances.

Fans of LE SSERAFIM and ILLIT, two fellow HYBE girl groups who were caught in the crossfire of the HYBE vs. Min Hee-jin drama, have called on NewJeans to issue a public apology. Critics are also reexamining the group’s past statements and perceived betrayals, particularly regarding accusations against HYBE and alleged internal suppression.

Amid the backlash, fans of HYBE artists created a humorous list including 83 artists—from BTS and SEVENTEEN to ILLIT, TXT, ENHYPEN, KATSEYE, &TEAM, and more—with the warning: “DO NOT INTERACT WITH NEWJEANS.” Though it may sound intense, this viral list is pure satire—crafted to mock the idea that NewJeans could again accuse colleagues of mistreatment or being snubbed.

The joke stems from a previous controversy involving Hanni, who claimed to have been ignored at the HYBE headquarters—a claim later disproven. HYBE released surveillance footage showing ILLIT members greeting Hanni first, undermining her claims. The Ministry of Labor and the courts eventually dismissed Hanni’s accusations of a “toxic work environment” due to lack of evidence.

Despite being debunked, the accusations led to months of online harassment targeted at ILLIT. This fan-created blacklist, while comedic in tone, is a scathing commentary on the tension NewJeans’ actions have caused—both within the industry and among fans.

It’s evident that the legal battle and public drama have deeply affected NewJeans’ image. Once hailed as one of K-pop’s leading 4th-gen girl groups, they now face public ridicule and strained peer relationships. Even though the list is a meme, it highlights the extent to which trust has been damaged.

As NewJeans attempts to reset under ADOR, it remains to be seen whether they can reclaim their former glory—or if the fallout has left lasting scars too deep to mend.

Sources: kenh14

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