On February 28 (KST), CCTV clips showing Haerin, Hyein, and Hanni inside a dance practice studio began circulating online. The video appeared to capture the three members rehearsing choreography, immediately fueling speculation that a three-member comeback might be in preparation.
However, excitement over potential new activities was quickly overshadowed by alarm over the leak itself. Fans expressed outrage that private internal CCTV footage had been shared without consent, questioning how such sensitive material could have been accessed and distributed.
Many supporters reached out directly to BASE Studios, demanding clarification. According to emails later shared online, the studio initially denied that anyone within its team was responsible for the leak, suggesting that the footage had not originated internally.
Days later, BASE Studios issued an official statement reversing its earlier stance. The company admitted that the footage had indeed been extracted from its internal CCTV system and shared without authorization. According to the statement, the person responsible was an intern who acted beyond their authority and violated company policies.
The studio confirmed that the intern’s placement was immediately terminated and that the case had been formally reported to the police for further investigation. The company emphasized that it is cooperating fully with authorities and reviewing its internal security protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Despite the clarification, suspicions among fans have only grown. Many questioned the sudden shift from denying internal involvement to confirming that an intern was behind the breach. The abrupt change in explanation has led some to speculate about whether the full story has yet to be revealed.
Meanwhile, ADOR, the agency representing NewJeans, has stated that investigations are ongoing. As both the studio and the agency work with authorities, the controversy surrounding the unauthorized leak shows no signs of subsiding.
The incident has once again highlighted the growing concerns over artist privacy and security in the K-pop industry, where even rehearsal footage can quickly become viral content — often without consent.
Sources: Koreaboo
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