A recently disclosed Seoul High Court document revealed that former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin actively sought ways to break free from HYBE’s control and operate the label independently, possibly taking NewJeans with her.
The court ruling mentioned, “Around 2023, former CEO Min expressed dissatisfaction with the shareholder agreement and looked for ways to break away from HYBE’s management or gain independent control over ADOR.”
The court found that Min Hee-jin’s actions were aimed at dismantling the integrated system that supported ADOR, its artists, and HYBE, marking a key moment in the legal dispute over the future of NewJeans. The wording of the ruling suggests that her intentions went beyond just disagreement, indicating a deliberate effort to separate.
This revelation directly contradicts Min Hee-jin’s public statements that she was only trying to protect NewJeans, with the court indicating that she had already been planning for separation before the public fallout.
Observers believe that this ruling could spark a broader conflict, strengthening HYBE’s legal position and hinting at potential battles over management rights, artist contracts, and label control. As the lawsuit continues, many are now curious about Min Hee-jin’s next steps and whether HYBE will respond more aggressively.
