Former HYBE Trainee Issues Statement About Recent Hate After Her NJZ Controversy

Japanese-born model Harin (real name Harada Rin) has spoken out directly regarding the recent surge of attention she has received. Recently, Harin appeared on Japanese actor Takeda Hiromitsu’s YouTube channel, where she discussed various aspects of living in Korea. During the conversation, she revealed that she was once an idol trainee.

Born in 2003, Harin was a member of the Japanese local idol group Shibu3 Project before passing an audition for HYBE’s subsidiary Source Music in 2020. She claimed to have been a part of a debut team that many believe to be N-Team, a debut project that many of the NJZ (formerly known as NewJeans) members stemmed from.

N-Team was managed by Source Music until their debut was upturned, and Min Hee Jin took a few key members to her newly established label ADOR where she produced NewJeans.

In her interview, Harin claimed that she was suddenly terminated as a trainee, causing her to give up her dreams, Articles then poured out that she had been axed from NewJeans.

“Right before debut, due to a sudden company decision, I had to give up my dream of becoming an idol. One day, I was suddenly told to terminate my contract and was the only one given the notice to ‘leave,’ so I had to immediately get on a plane back home.”

Once the news spread, Harin’s YouTube and social media channels drew a wave of interest as well as malicious comments, prompting her to issue an official statement on August 14, 2025.

Hello, this is Harin.
Lately, I’ve been feeling both grateful and a little concerned about the sudden surge of attention I’ve received.

What I shared in the interview was simply my deeply personal feelings of frustration and disappointment from the past, not an attempt to criticize or expose any specific company or individual.

It was certainly a difficult time for me, but at the same time, it was also a valuable opportunity and period that made me stronger. Even now, I continue to support the members I laughed and cried with back then!

I’ll work harder to improve on my shortcomings and show you a better side of me.

Just like the changing of the four seasons, where autumn always comes when the autumn breeze begins to blow no matter how hot the summer, I will remain the same Harin.
Please continue to give me your warm support!

Harin

You may read more about the heat she took below.

Pre-Debut NJZ (NewJeans) Member Takes Heat For Now-Deleted “Shade” Towards The Group