HYBE’s Min Hee-jin Claims NewJeans’ Success Reflects Her Influence

On the morning of October 11, the Civil Agreement Division 50 of Seoul Central District Court, led by Judge Kim Sang-hoon, convened a hearing concerning an injunction initiated by Min Hee-jin against HYBE regarding the exercise of her voting rights.

HYBE referenced an ongoing case of workplace sexual harassment as a basis for the decisive change in CEO. In July, a former employee of ADOR, identified as B, alleged they faced sexual harassment and inappropriate comments made by executive A. Furthermore, B accused Min Hee-jin of trying to conceal the occurrence and of defending A by disclosing private conversations without consent. However, HYBE remarked, “The investigation found that the situation did not meet the criteria for workplace bullying or sexual harassment,” while Min Hee-jin’s camp expressed their disagreement with B’s allegations.

HYBE went on to criticize Min Hee-jin, remarking that “The claimant has made unacceptable statements suggesting the company should punish false accusers instead of focusing on preventing future occurrences and remedying damages. Moreover, she publicly announced that the dispute was a personal issue, which has adversely affected ADOR’s reputation and linked NewJeans to the scandal of workplace sexual harassment.”

HYBE further drew comparisons to the conflict between FIFTY FIFTY and their agency ATTRAKT, asserting, “The claimant has manipulated public opinion against the debtor and liquidated ADOR shares, likely with the intention to gain independence. It’s not uncommon for producers aiming for success to want to depart with the artists they support. This instance is no different. The claimant is seeking independence alongside NewJeans and perceives their success as a result of her own contributions.”

In a related development, ADOR revealed on August 27 that Kim Joo-young had been appointed as the new CEO, clarifying that despite Min Hee-jin’s resignation from the CEO role, she would remain an internal director, continuing her oversight of NewJeans’ production.

Min Hee-jin’s team contested this action, asserting, “This termination breaches the shareholder agreement and the injunction that restricts the exercise of voting rights. Min Hee-jin did not resign voluntarily; she was compelled to step down, with the board of ADOR unilaterally assigning her to production duties.”

On September 11, NewJeans livestreamed a broadcast on YouTube where they advocated for Min Hee-jin’s reappointment as CEO. Following this, on September 13, Min Hee-jin lodged an injunction request with the Seoul Central District Court to convene an extraordinary meeting of shareholders and to be reinstated as an internal director of ADOR.

In response, ADOR stated on September 25, “The ADOR board has reviewed Min Hee-jin’s request for reinstatement as CEO and concluded that it is currently unfeasible. We have already proposed that she continue overseeing NewJeans’ production for the next five years, which corresponds with the remaining duration of NewJeans’ contract.” Her team continues to dispute this decision.

Source: Naver

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