Court rejects petition to reinstate former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin amid controversy over HYBE document leak

The Seoul Central District Court has rejected former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin’s application to be reinstated to her position, the latest development in the ongoing dispute between the veteran executive and K-Pop giant HYBE.

In a ruling issued on Tuesday (October 29), following a hearing on October 11, the court rejected Min’s request for an injunction filed on September 13. The court stated that her application was “invalid for lack of legal interest” and that “there is insufficient evidence as to the rights to be protected,” a HYBE spokesperson said. BIE.

“We recognize and appreciate the court’s wise decision. In light of this decision, HYBE is committed to normalizing ADOR’s operations, improving our multi-label capabilities and supporting the activities of our artists,” the spokesperson added.

The court’s refusal deals a blow to Min Hee Jinposition in ADORwhere she was instrumental in the development of the girl group NewJeansADOR’s flagship performance. Min, who co-founded ADOR in 2021 after working as creative director at rival company HYBE. CM Entertainmentwas replaced as CEO in August amid a legal spat with the company.

“We recognize and appreciate the court’s wise decision. In light of this decision, HYBE is committed to normalizing ADOR’s operations, improving our multi-label capabilities and supporting the activities of our artists.”

HYBE Press Secretary

Earlier this year, HYBE accused Ming of trying to take over ADOR by selling shares and potentially leaking confidential information. Min was reported to have been outraged by another HYBE sub-label: BELIFT LABfor allegedly copying the NewJeans concept with their new girl group, ILLIT. In April, HYBE threatened her with legal action.

In response, Min filed a police report against five HYBE executives, accusing them of defamation and leaking her private messages to the media. BELIFT LAB and Source MusicAnother HYBE subsidiary has accused Min of defamation and obstruction of business, according to local media reports.

In September, Min rejected an offer to remain with ADOR as NewJeans’ producer, citing “unreasonable” contract terms. ADOR then decided to extend Min’s term as a board director but rejected her reinstatement as CEO, prompting Min to go to court.

“We have already made an offer to Min Hee Jin to remain as NewJeans’ producer for the next five years, which is the entire duration of the girl group’s contract (with ADOR),” the agency said in late September. Kim Joo Younghead of the company’s human resources department, was appointed as the new CEO of ADOR.

Complicating the matter between ADOR and Min are recent allegations of workplace tensions affecting NewJeans. During a YouTube livestream that has since been deleted, members of the group expressed concern about alleged hostile treatment at HYBE. Member of NewJeans HUNNY even testified before National Assembly regarding workplace bullying, describing incidents where employees were allegedly instructed to ignore a group in the hallways.

The controversy escalated following the leak of internal HYBE documents containing disparaging remarks about K-Pop artists, including HYBE’s own and those run by rival labels. Some observers suggested that comments in the documents indicate that HYBE may want to divest NewJeans.

An unidentified individual not affiliated with HYBE, Min, or NewJeans was reported to have provided these leaked documents to an ongoing investigation into alleged bullying at ADOR, which potentially implicates current CEO Kim Joo-young.

In response to the document leak, HYBE CEO Jason Jaesan Lee On October 24, he issued a public apology, acknowledging the inappropriate nature of the comments.

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