"Delete the article, apologize to me"- Min Hee-jin reportedly demands apology over alleged misreporting of Telegram chat with NewJeans member’s uncle

Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin has demanded an apology and retraction from a media outlet following the publication of an article. The media outlet alleged her involvement in a Telegram exchange with the uncle of a NewJeans member. Min Hee-jin took to Instagram on January 14, 2025, to express her frustration, sharing screenshots of a reporter’s message asking for a rebuttal to the claims.

She described the article as false, speculative, and a misrepresentation of the facts. In her response, Min asserted that the article was built on unfounded assumptions, stating that she neither knew the government official mentioned nor had she ever instructed or requested any action related to the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

When a reporter reached out to Min Hee-jin for her response to alleged chats involving her and a NewJeans member's uncle, she responded with a detailed message, which she later shared as a screenshot.

The reporter mentioned they had obtained the conversation and had already reported on it, seeking her rebuttal for inclusion. The former CEO wrote:

"Writing articles with groundless content without confirmation makes me suspect that the media outlet received bribes from HYBE. And instead of asking me for a rebuttal, shouldn’t you have checked before publishing? I wonder if it’s ok for a reporter to slander normal citizens like this. I think you should delete the article and apologize to me."

Referring to the Telegram conversation from September 2024, she clarified that the exchange had been misinterpreted and selectively edited to cast her in a negative light. Min Hee-jin emphasized that she was not the initiator of the discussion and was merely responding to a recommendation made by the other party.

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More about the ongoing controversies surrounding ADOR's former CEO, Min Hee-jin

The controversy centers around a Telegram conversation between Min Hee-jin and the uncle of a NewJeans member, identified as Mr. A. In the alleged exchange, Mr. A mentioned the Ministry of Employment and Labor, prompting speculation about Min’s involvement in matters related to the agency.

This discussion coincided with a complaint filed by a NewJeans fan, accusing HYBE of workplace bullying involving member Hanni. Reports claim Min’s alleged knowledge of the complaint could raise concerns about her adherence to contractual obligations as an executive.

Min Hee-jin, however, has firmly denied any wrongdoing, calling the article an ethical violation of journalism and accusing the media outlet of deliberate slander. She criticized the publication for failing to verify its claims before going public and speculated on potential biases, questioning whether external factors influenced the report. She wrote in the message:

“Hello, you have been reporting false news daily. I have some questions for you. I don’t know the government official and have never requested or commanded anything. The article is all false and filled with speculation."

She continued:

"If you had seen the entire conversation with the uncle, you would know that he had contacted me suddenly and that there had been no related conversation on that day, as well as before and after that day. I am not the main speaker, but was rather receiving the recommendation."

Min Hee-jin reiterated her demand for the article’s removal and a formal apology, asserting her right to defend her reputation against baseless accusations.

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This incident has reignited discussions around professional ethics in journalism and the challenges faced by public figures in addressing misinformation.