sentientzz saw autumn leaves

and every day i think about how brave the newjeans girls were to try and stand up against an entertainment monopoly even despite the outcome and how they were used along the way. they had to love each other so much to even attempt that. an industry that refuses basic labor protections, an industry that intimidates their idols out of unionizing, and girls 16-20 were willing to face it not just for themselves but for the children who have been abused for over a decade. it was deeply selfless and no fan war could turn me against those sweet girls.

some of the most harrowing details from the newjeans contract as revealed by the NYT: •the korean government’s template for kpop contracts clause that guarantees minors are not sexually exploited and have “basic human rights” was removed •teenage members were coerced into receiving plastic surgery and the contract stipulated they incurred the cost •the contract said newjeans could not make “true *or* false” statements that damage the reputation of the company. this could be why soobin and jungkook criticized their label on live only to slightly walk back their statements in defense of the company. •the contract removed rights to newjeans’ likeness being taken away after the contract ends. this means HYBE has control of their faces and voices even after their contracts expire.

the newjeans contract leak, trying to act like BTS are irrelevant and replaceable, soobin’s safety and beomgyu’s talent being neglected, plans for megan to go back to performing in a week with a concussion—HYBE is imploding and the idols are paying the price.