On April 2nd, Taiwanese production company Askafilm Production issued a formal apology via their official social media channels regarding controversies surrounding the filming of NewJeans’s new music video.
The apology comes in response to reports alleging that an extra actor featured in NewJeans’s music video was paid below the minimum wage stipulated by the Labor Standards Law in Taiwan. In their statement, Askafilm Production acknowledged the misunderstanding, expressing regret for any confusion caused. They assured that both their company and the extra actor’s agency would take responsibility, emphasizing that NewJeans and their filming staff were aware of the situation and ensured reasonable compensation.
Before this incident, NewJeans faced additional scrutiny over allegations of staff misconduct and unauthorized filming activities in Taiwan. Reports surfaced of staff members shouting at passersby, inspecting a woman’s phone without consent, and obstructing a nearby parking lot during filming.
In response to these accusations, NewJeans’s agency, ADOR, refuted claims of power abuse and unauthorized filming. They clarified that proper permissions were obtained from Taiwan City Hall and local police authorities.
Furthermore, ADOR stated that on-site staff members merely requested bystanders to refrain from taking photos and politely asked individuals to delete any unauthorized footage.
Amidst these controversies, NewJeans is preparing to launch a double single album on May 24th, featuring the title track “How Sweet” and the b-side song “Bubble Gum.” Despite the setbacks, the group remains focused on their upcoming music release, aiming to deliver quality content to their fans.
