"Not a very smart move": NewJeans met with fan backlash for acknowledging former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin in their TMA 2024 award acceptance speech

On Sunday, September 8, the K-pop girl group NewJeans bagged the Worldwide ICON Award at The Fact Music Awards 2024. When the members went on stage to accept their trophy, they also gave a speech in which all the members took turns saying a few words.

When it came to Danielle's turn, the idol mentioned Min Hee-jin, who now stands as the former CEO of ADOR, saying:

"And lastly, to the one who always treasures and protects us Min Hee Jin CEO, we really love you and thank you!"

In addition, Hyein also conveyed her thanks to Min Hee-jin, saying:

"I want to say this again because it may be the last time… but CEO… OUR CEO… We really really thank you. We love you CEO, thank you!"

As of August 27, it was revealed that Kim Joo-young, an HR Expert, replaced Min Hee-jin as the CEO of ADOR, the subsidiary agency of HYBE Labels that houses NewJeans. Therefore, when this acceptance speech landed on the internet, netizens expressed their disappointment with the members referring to Min Hee-jin as their CEO despite the changes.

Here are a few reactions that were shared by netizens on the social media platform X:

"This not a very smart move calling her Ceo when they have a whole new other ceo managing them , they’re really ruining their career…" said one netizen.

"this is actually so sad. ruining their image at a young age just to support someone whos twice their age" said a netizen on X

"i love yall but for the love of god what is it about her that they have to mention her 24/7? yall are so much more than that woman and i wish they would realize it" added another netizen

"this is genuinely insane i’ve never seen a kpop group act like this.." said an X user

More netizens expressed displeasure at seeing NewJeans mention Min Hee-jin in their speech.

"They really don’t trust in themselves or their hardwork is it? Like who mentions CEO 564 times? This is just weird" said another netizen

"who tf thanks their CEO that much? and if I'm correct she's not the CEO anymore its just plain disrespect to the new ceo" stated an X user

"Bro she's even not the CEO anymore" said another netizen

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All you need to know about NewJeans at TMA 2024 and ADOR's CEO change

On September 8, during the final day of The Fact Music Awards 2024, the K-pop girl group NewJeans bagged not just one but four awards. Here are all the categories that the girl group won at the recent award show:

• Artist of the Year
• World Best Performer
• Worldwide ICON
• MUSINSA Popularity Award

However, following their acceptance speech, fans have not only been talking about their achievements but also the controversy it sparked on the internet. On August 27, HYBE Labels revealed that Min Hee-jin had resigned as ADOR's CEO, and a new CEO named Kim Joo-young was subsequently added as her replacement. Here's what the agency's statement read:

"Min Hee-jin will step down from her position as CEO but will continue to serve as an internal director at ADOR. She will also maintain her role in producing NewJeans. In addition, ADOR's internal instruction will undergo changes, with a clear separation between production and management."

The statement also mentioned that while Min Hee-jin will continue to look after NewJeans' works, other changes in ADOR as an entertainment agency will also occur.

"While the multi-label management system has been consistently applied across all labels, ADOR had been an exception, with the CEO overseeing both production and management. With these personnel changes and organizations restructuring, ADOR is committed to fully supporting the growth and continued success of NewJeans."

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However, following the girl group's speech at the TMA 2024, fans have been concerned about their career and management under HYBE and the new ADOR CEO.