HYBE accuses Min Hee-jin of using derogatory remarks against NewJeans and mistreating female employees on first day of court hearing

The first trial of the legal battle, HYBE versus ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, took place on May 17, 2024, at the Seoul Central District Court. Reportedly, HYBE claimed that Min Hee-jin mistreated female employees of her own firm.

According to HYBE's allegations, when ADOR's Vice President “L” was accused in March 2024 of harassing female employees at work. However, CEO Min Hee-jin allegedly put pressure on the victims rather than offering assistance or protection.

"When a se*ual harassment case involving Vice President L was reported around March 2024, she made unimaginably misogynistic remarks and pressured female employees to adopt a submissive attitude. She also referred to the women she worked with as 'Dog Jumma' and 'Femi X'." (as reported and translated by Koreaboo)

HYBE added that she used the term "femi," a contraction of the word "feminist." This term has come to be used disparagingly in South Korea to describe anybody who speaks out against gender inequality and the advancement of women.

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YouTube Lee Jin-ho reveals KakoaTalk chats of Min Hee-jin alleged derogatory remarks

A text exchange between the CEO of ADOR (Min Hee-jin) and Vice President "L" dated January 2024 was purportedly disclosed by YouTuber Lee Jin-ho on May 17. To foster a "friendly atmosphere," Lee Jin-ho claimed that the ADOR Vice President proposed bringing a young female employee to a drinking party for ADOR and HYBE staff members.

According to the YouTuber, the lady was left alone which later raised concerns within HYBE because only the male employees of ADOR departed together after the party. In March 2024, HYBE began an official inquiry into the matter. The investigation wrapped up with a warning, and the situation was allegedly classified by ADOR as a communication process concern.

Lee Jin-ho further asserted that the alleged text messages were found during HYBE's audit procedure. It is noteworthy to mention that although he included images of the messages, these were mockups made for the video and not real screenshots.

Meanwhile, ADOR's performance director, Kim Eun-ju, posted a statement on an Instagram story in support of Min Hee-jin. She mentioned in her May 2024 story:

“I’ve come to work with Hee-jin for around 3 years now, and she has been someone who trusted and left everything to the way I work completely, as a choreographer and performance director." (as reported and translated by Koreaboo)

Kim Eun-ji stated that the ADOR CEO had always taken the lead in "lead ideation" which further helped the label create "good results" for their girl group NewJeans. She added:

"She is someone who helped me lead ideation again in a new direction, whenever I tell her about my difficulties while creating. Perhaps that is why we have been able to create such good results up to now, and as someone who has been dancing for over 20 years, as a director, I was able to come to know of new, different areas as a creator."

Kim Eun-ji went on to express gratitude as she wrote:

"For that I am thankful. Min Hee-jin wants to tell the ADOR staff how grateful she is, that even in such tough times, the ADOR staff are simply silently doing their best for the members and the company. In this vein, even though ADOR staff are the minority [compared to HYBE], we are all doing our own jobs well, so I hope the truth will be revealed and everything will be solved.” (as reported and translated by Koreaboo)

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The injunction was filed by Min Hee-jin to stop HYBE from exercising its voting rights in ousting her from ADOR. The parent company, HYBE, owns 80% of ADOR shares, which further gives the former an advantage during the shareholders' meeting.

The Seoul Central District Court stated that they will accept evidence from both parties until May 24, 2024. The injunction is anticipated to be resolved before May 31—before HYBE's interim shareholders' meet.