Min Hee-jin Parts Ways with HYBE: A New Chapter in the K-pop Industry

On November 20, Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of ADOR, officially announced her resignation as a corporate director and her departure from both ADOR and HYBE. In a public statement, Min declared her intention to hold HYBE legally accountable for alleged violations of their shareholder agreement and other illegal actions.

Legal Disputes and Controversies

Min Hee-jin’s decision follows months of conflict with HYBE. Earlier this month, she had notified HYBE of her decision to exercise a put option as stipulated in their shareholder agreement. Subsequently, on November 20, Min filed a lawsuit with the Seoul Central District Court to claim the associated payment, estimated at approximately 26 billion KRW.

However, HYBE contests the validity of this claim, asserting that the shareholder agreement was terminated in July due to a breakdown in trust. This disagreement has now escalated into a heated legal battle.

Min’s statement shed light on her struggles over the past seven months, referring to the conflict with HYBE as a “hellish ordeal.” She emphasized her efforts to restore ADOR to its original state but concluded that further attempts were futile due to HYBE’s refusal to acknowledge any wrongdoing.

Tensions with NewJeans and Future Uncertainty

This announcement comes amid growing tensions between HYBE and the girl group NewJeans, who are managed under ADOR. On November 13, NewJeans sent a certified letter to ADOR demanding an apology from a label manager for inappropriate remarks and calling for Min Hee-jin’s reinstatement. The group warned of contract termination if their demands were not met within 14 days.

Now, with Min’s resignation, her return to ADOR is no longer possible. This development raises questions about the future of NewJeans, who may pursue legal action to suspend their exclusive contract with the label.

Min Hee-jin’s Legacy and Future Plans

Min Hee-jin joined HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment) in 2019 as Chief Brand Officer (CBO), where she played a pivotal role in designing HYBE’s Yongsan headquarters and spearheading the creation of NewJeans. Despite her departure, Min expressed her determination to continue contributing to the K-pop industry, hinting at new ventures that fans can anticipate.

As the conflict between Min Hee-jin and HYBE unfolds, the industry is closely watching how these events will shape the future of NewJeans and impact the K-pop landscape.