Dispatch published a report claiming that former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin was the key figure behind NewJeans’ decision to terminate the exclusive contract, also claiming that she was seeking outside investors from Japan and China.
According to Dispatch, the press conference held on November 28, 2024, in which NewJeans announced the termination of the contract, was orchestrated by Min Hee Jin. The outlet says he drafted the script himself and required members to memorize it beforehand.
The report further states that in late 2024, amid financial difficulties, Min Hee Jin was introduced to Koh Kazumichi (73), a figure described as having aristocratic roots in Japan and significant influence in the Japanese motorsports industry. The dispatch states that Min Hee Jin arranged for NewJeans to travel to Tokyo to meet Koh, who is reportedly an avid fan of the group.
According to the investigation, NewJeans met Koh three times and even sent him birthday gifts and handwritten letters. A source close to the group reportedly said: “Min Hee Jin told them that he was an important person. Although the members had some doubts, they prepared according to his instructions.” Industry observers speculate that discussions about potential investments may have taken place during these meetings.
Dispatch further stated that while NewJeans denied in court that it had a new agency or outside intervention from Min Hee Jin, a performance contract for ComplexCon Hong Kong had already been signed in December 2024. The report claims that Min Hee Jin and the members’ parents secretly signed the agreement but avoided including her name directly in the official documents to avoid legal issues related to “artist poaching”.
Additionally, Dispatch reported that Min Hee Jin would be in contact with a Chinese investor, Bonnie Chan Woo, CEO of Complex China, to explore acquiring ADOR from HYBE. According to the newspaper, Bonnie Chan had previously proposed to buy 80% of ADOR’s shares from HYBE for KRW 400 billion (about $300 million), subject to securing 100% management rights to NewJeans.
The report also states that Min Hee Jin and Danielle’s mother discussed the subpoena strategy via text messages “psychological instability” when working with ADOR to gain influence in a lawsuit seeking to nullify the group’s exclusivity contract.
Dispatch added that Min Hee Jin submitted her resignation from ADOR shortly before NewJeans publicly declared their departure, presumably to avoid potential legal liabilities such as breach of trust.
In its conclusion, Dispatch said Min Hee Jin’s actions did not stop voluntarily but were only stopped after they were exposed. The outlet framed the situation as one in which Min Hee Jin remains largely unaffected, while NewJeans faces significant uncertainty.
At this time, no additional official response from Min Hee Jin, ADOR, HYBE or NewJeans has been included in the report.
Sources: dispatch
