HYBE CEO Min Hee-jin Explains Why NewJeans Was Not Able to Debut as the Company’s First Girl Group

Specifically, her assertion that NewJeans was not able to become HYBE’s inaugural girl group due to LE SSERAFIM caused a stir.

In reply, HYBE clarified that the reason NewJeans did not debut as HYBE’s first girl group was because CEO Min was determined to debut them under a different label.

HYBE released a statement on April 26th, declaring that CEO Min is the one responsible for using artists as leverage to threaten the company. They aim to safeguard shareholder value and intellectual property by providing a precise explanation of CEO Min’s statements at the press conference on April 25th.

HYBE refuted allegations that they had promised to debut Min Hee-jin’s group as their first girl group, but instead debuted LE SSERAFIM first. They clarified, “CEO Min’s claims about the separation from Source Music are inaccurate and based on her misinterpretation. The decision for NewJeans not to become HYBE’s first girl group was not due to a broken promise on our part. In fact, CEO Min requested to take full responsibility for establishing the group and insisted that they debut under her label.”

Despite Source Music’s objections, HYBE respected the opinions of the members and transferred them to ADOR. In support of CEO Min’s desire to debut NewJeans, HYBE even invested a substantial amount of 16 billion won. However, the company’s split and contract transfer resulted in a delay in NewJeans’ debut schedule.

In response to CEO Min’s statement that HYBE hindered NewJeans’ promotion, HYBE clarified that both LE SSERAFIM and NewJeans debuted at the same time, leaving limited time for full promotion. As a result, HYBE made the decision to implement a minimum promotion period within a specific timeframe. Furthermore, HYBE addressed the numerous rumors surrounding Sakura’s potential transfer to HYBE even before she signed with the company. Given this situation, HYBE expressed concern that labeling ADOR’s group as “consisting only of new faces”could potentially expose information about the members of NewJeans and Sakura’s joining of Source Music.

HYBE made it clear that they were not neglecting the promotion of NewJeans, asserting, “We are fully committed to promoting NewJeans. In fact, last year alone, HYBE wrote and distributed 273 press releases solely for the brand.”

On April 22nd, HYBE announced that ADOR CEO Min had attempted to take over management rights, which prompted an urgent audit. As a result of an interim audit report released on April 25th, evidence was found of breach of trust by ADOR’s board members, including CEO Min. HYBE then filed a complaint against them with the Seoul Yongsan Police Station. On the same day, CEO Min held an emergency press conference to deny the accusations.

CEO Min, who accused HYBE of deception, revealed, “NewJeans was initially presented as HYBE’s debut girl group. Hyein received numerous casting offers during that time, but she joined ADOR with the promise of being a part of HYBE’s first girl group. However, to my surprise, HYBE casted Sakura and Kim Chaewon without informing me. I was extremely frustrated and even considered resigning. I made it clear that I could not continue working under these circumstances.”

The source is Daum.