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ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin addressed the future of NewJeans amidst the alleged conflict with HYBE. On April 22, the director sat with Sports Seoul, a South Korean media agency, and responded regarding the audit raised against the management of ADOR and the CEO by HYBE.
Previously, the CEO accused Producer Bang Si-hyuk and another HYBE subsidiary label, Belift Lab, of plagiarizing NewJeans’ concept and other elements for the new girl group ILLIT.
During her interview on April 22, the director discussed HYBE's actions and their potential impact on NewJeans' future as artists under the label.
She said—
“I'm surprised that HYBE would do something like this at a very important time for NewJeans. This happened four days after I raised the objection and while waiting for HYBE’s response.”
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Discussing the Super Shy singers’ upcoming schedule, she added—
“I don’t think HYBE appears to have any regard for the condition or schedule of its artists. There are very important schedules ahead for NewJeans, so we are discussing what is the best course of action.”
ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin on the NewJeans-ILLIT copying issue, resolution plans with HYBE and uncertain outcomes
ADOR is a subsidiary of HYBE, which manages the popular girl group NewJeans. HYBE is the major stakeholder with 80 percent of the shares, followed by Min Hee-jin and management with 18 percent.
On April 22, HYBE reportedly found evidence that Min Hee-jin had attempted to acquire full management rights over the agency. The conglomerate raised an audit and reportedly called for the resignation of the CEO.
According to reports, the CEO and a close associate were charged with disclosing confidential information regarding the label. A HYBE representative briefly confirmed that an audit had been initiated against Min Hee-jin, as per the media outlet Segye Ilbo.
The ADOR CEO has declined the allegations made against her, stating it would be impossible to take over the agency without HYBE’s consent, who are the major stakeholders.
She said—
“It is impossible for ADOR to become independent from HYBE.”
She had accused Bang PD, who was responsible for the production of the new Belift Lab girl group ILLIT, of copying the NewJeans concept alleging that HYBE was also involved in the same.
NewJeans made their debut in 2022 with their popular EP New Jeans and took over the music scene with their catchy tunes Attention, Hype Boy, and more. Meanwhile, ILLIT debuted in March 2024 with their album SUPER REAL ME and has created records on music service platforms such as Spotify with the title track Magnetic.
Four days after the interview, Min Hee-jin stated that she had expressed her concerns about the NewJeans and ILLIT copying issues; however, she was hit back with a termination notification instead.
The CEO said—
“I had hoped to somehow resolve the issue with HYBE by raising an official issue internally, but the sudden attack made me think more.”
Furthermore, Min Hee-jin mentioned the infamous FIFTY FIFTY and ATTARK feud as an example of a conflict involving finance.
She said—
“If the goal was money, we wouldn't have filed such a complaint or objection in the first place, it seems like HYBE framed this as acquiring management rights. Didn't the Fifty Fifty incident become a precedent? I don’t do such foolish things.”
Min Hee-jin is known for working with K-pop artists SHINee, Girls Generation, and EXO as a creative director at SM Entertainment. She produced the girl group NewJeans under ADOR in 2022.
Meanwhile, NewJeans is gearing up for the release of the double single album with Japanese tracks named How Sweet and Bubble Gum on May 24. On April 8, the girl group dropped Bubble Gum as the background track for a Japanese commercial advertisement.
