K-Pop girl group, NewJeans, has been making waves in the industry since their debut with their fresh and youthful charm.

Their girl-next-door vibes were a breath of fresh air compared to more manufactured and sophisticated groups.

However, a recent video of the girls eating very little during filming for their debut music video has caused concern among fans.

In the video, the girls are seen eating mostly vegetables, with their CEO, Min Hee Jin, asking them how the food tastes.

Fans were especially upset when one of the members, Hyein, sounded like she was forcing herself to enjoy the meal. Fans felt that as growing girls, they should be fed more, and some were concerned about how the video would influence other young girls.

While there is a minor opinion that voices out how female idols get criticized the instant they put on weight, the overwhelming reaction has been one of concern for the health and well-being of the NewJeans members.

Some netizens have even gone so far as to call the video an instance of child abuse and harmful to young girls who may already struggle with pro-ana attitudes.

The pressure to maintain a certain weight and appearance is nothing new in the K-Pop industry, but as the youngest member of NewJeans is only 15 years old, many fans had hoped that their company would not force them to adhere to the regular strict routines of idols.

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Here are some reactions from netizens on the issue:

"This is really concerning. These girls are already skinny, they need to be eating more than just vegetables."

"I hope their company takes action and ensures that they are getting enough to eat. They are growing girls, after all."

"It's sad to see the pressure put on these young girls to maintain a certain appearance. I hope they are given the support they need."

"As someone who struggled with an eating disorder in the past, this video is really triggering. I hope other young girls don't see this and think it's okay."

"This is an issue that needs to be addressed. We can't let young girls think that eating very little is healthy or normal."

"I understand the pressure that female idols face to maintain a certain weight, but this is not the way to do it. We need to promote healthy eating habits and a balanced lifestyle."

"I feel sorry for these girls. They should be allowed to enjoy their food without worrying about how it will affect their appearance."

"I hope this video serves as a wake-up call for the K-Pop industry to prioritize the health and well-being of their idols."

What are your thoughts?

Source[1]

NewJeans' Minji touched fans' hearts with a handwritten letter on her birthday — even while the group is currently unable to promote due to legal issues.

On May 7, Minji celebrated her birthday by sharing a heartfelt message on the group’s personal SNS account, which the members opened themselves to stay connected with fans.

Minji began her letter with honesty, writing, “I think I’m living a busier life than I expected. When I finally looked up, it was already May, and it was my birthday.”

She admitted that she had a lot she wanted to say, but her thoughts felt “messy.” Still, her message to fans was clear, “I just hope that I, our members, and Bunnies can all be happy. Happiness is the biggest goal in my life.”

Minji then opened up about her personal journey and struggles, saying, “I sometimes think that running toward my happiness by doing what I love might look foolish to others. But isn’t giving up your happiness now for the sake of a future that might not even come… too harsh on yourself?”

Despite everything, she ended on a hopeful note, “I really miss the times when we shared our feelings through the good music we made together. But I always look forward to what’s ahead."

She added, "We didn’t stop here, and we’re not going to stop! It might look like we’re standing still, but I believe we’re growing deeper.”

Her message comes during a difficult time for NewJeans. The group announced last year that they were cutting ties with ADOR, their original agency, after trust was broken. They later began working independently under the new name ‘NJZ’.

However, ADOR responded with legal action — claiming the exclusive contract with NewJeans was still valid and asking the court to stop the group from promoting or signing deals.

The court sided with ADOR and granted an injunction, forcing NewJeans to pause their activities. Their appeal was rejected, and they’ve now filed a second appeal.

Through it all, Minji’s message proves one thing — even when forced to stop, NewJeans' hearts are still moving forward.

Source: [1]