In 2024, the biggest buzzword in the entertainment industry was undoubtedly Min Hee-jin. ADOR’s former CEO has publicly criticized HYBE, its parent company, greatly influencing what many see as NewJeans’ “declaration of independence.” Over the past year, conflicts between HYBE, ADOR, Min Hee-jin and NewJeans have escalated into an unprecedented contract dispute in the entertainment industry.
If 2024 was the prelude to a battle, 2025 marks the beginning of war, with lawsuits taking center stage.
Lawsuit from a former ADOR employee
On January 6, a former ADOR employee, identified as A, failed to attend a mediation session in the defamation lawsuit against Min Hee-jin, which is seeking 100 million won in compensation. With the mediation failing, tensions between Min Hee-jin and A are expected to deepen.
A claims that during their time at ADOR, they were sexually harassed by B, a former deputy CEO of ADOR and Min Hee-jin’s “right-hand man”, and that Min Hee-jin not only covered up the incident but it also supported B, dealing secondary damage.
Who is B? B is a central figure in the controversy surrounding HYBE’s allegations of “Min Hee-jin’s plan to take control of ADOR”. A former member of HYBE’s accounting team, B joined ADOR and worked closely with Min Hee-jin on management decisions. According to a HYBE audit, B drafted a controversial memo advising Min Hee-jin to “turn ADOR into an empty shell and push HYBE to sell it,” which Min Hee-jin allegedly received.
A’s decision to skip the mediation session reportedly stems from Min Hee-jin’s refusal to apologize. A had previously stated that they would accept a settlement if Min Hee-jin admitted wrongdoing and apologized. However, A’s legal representatives expressed doubts about reaching an agreement, citing Min Hee-jin’s uncooperative response in her documentation.
Since mediation failed, the case will now move to trial.
Legal battle over ILLIT plagiarism charges
Just five days later, on January 10, Min Hee-jin will face yet another legal battle, this time involving the plagiarism controversy surrounding ILLIT. Last year, Source Music filed a 500 million won damages lawsuit against Min Hee-jin, while ILLIT agency Belift Lab filed a 2 billion won lawsuit, claiming that Min Hee-jin had plagiarized their ideas for his projects. The Jan. 10 hearing will address the $2.5 billion in combined claims from Source Music and Belift Lab.
In response, Min Hee-jin took a more aggressive stance, filing a countersuit against Belift Lab for 5 billion won in damages, double the amount sought, and accusing Belift Lab executives of defamation under the Information and Communications Act Network Act.
Accusations of HYBE of attempting to seize ADOR
Min Hee-jin will also continue to fight HYBE’s accusations of “plotting to take control of ADOR.” In April 2024, HYBE accused Min Hee-jin of breach of duty, alleging that she attempted to seize ADOR’s management rights. After an eight-hour police interrogation, Min Hee-jin dismissed the allegations as “a ridiculous comedy.”
HYBE’s accusation is rooted in A’s claims regarding B’s memo, which reportedly contained detailed plans to pressure HYBE to sell ADOR shares. HYBE presented text messages between Min Hee-jin and B discussing these plans, which they say constitute a breach of duty. Min Hee-jin, however, argued that the messages were casual conversations and that the memo was simply a personal note.
The outcome of the police investigation into Min Hee-jin’s alleged breach of duty will have significant implications for the ongoing shareholder lawsuit between HYBE and Min Hee-jin. It also connects to the broader power struggle over ADOR shares and the sizable financial stakes involved.
This investigation will also influence public perception of the NewJeans, who broke away from the ADOR. Min Hee-jin and NewJeans are seen as a single entity, sharing a collective destiny. Is NewJeans’ current trajectory a courageous stand against corporate power, or is it a reckless disregard for legal principles?
The future of NewJeans largely depends on Min Hee-jin’s success or failure in these legal battles.
