Former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin has reignited controversy after claiming that HYBE founder Bang Si Hyuk maintains undisclosed ties to powerful media figures, claims she says are supported by hard documents. The claims were revealed on January 28 (KST) during a press conference held through his legal representatives, in which he addressed accusations that he had attempted to tamper with or “take away” NewJeans.
During the briefing, Min’s legal team argued that the tampering allegations were not based in fact but were instead part of a larger scheme designed to manipulate the stock market. According to their statement, the situation involved a specific businessman working in tandem with a family member of a NewJeans member, framing Min as a scapegoat in the process.
As part of its defense, Min’s side released transcripts of a private conversation between Min Hee Jin and Park Jeong Gyu, president of DAVOLINK. The documents suggest that Park had discussed a potential investment proposal with Min in August 2024, with the mediation allegedly handled by “Mr. B”, described as the uncle of a NewJeans member.
The transcript also indicates that Park repeatedly encouraged Min to attend the ICAE 2024 conference alongside members of NewJeans. During these discussions, Park allegedly assured Min that he would prevent Bang Si Hyuk from attending the same event, a statement that immediately attracted attention.
More controversially, Park allegedly claimed that Bang had been invited to the conference by the head of a major media company and suggested that Bang shared family ties with that media executive. According to Park’s claims, this relationship gave Bang enormous influence over entertainment-related media coverage in South Korea.
“Bang Si Hyuk controls all the media right now,” Park said in the released transcript.
Following these revelations, online discussion quickly intensified. Reports have resurfaced that Bang Si Hyuk has family ties to high-level figures associated with Chosun Ilbo, one of South Korea’s most influential newspapers. While these connections were not legally established, the allegations fueled speculation that such relationships could have influenced how controversies in the entertainment industry have been reported over the years.
Min Hee Jin’s side emphasized that these revelations were not intended as personal attacks but as context for understanding how the tampering narrative spread so quickly and forcefully. However, the claims have sparked heated debate among fans, industry insiders and netizens, with many calling for clearer verification and official responses.
As the legal battles surrounding NewJeans, HYBE and Min Hee Jin continue, the impact of these alleged media connections, and whether they can be substantiated, remains a key point of public interest.
Sources: Koreaboo
