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Matters between HYBE and NewJeans have come to light once again. On September 12, 2024, as reported by Korean media, Sports Chosun, HYBE held a shareholders' meeting at the Korea Exchange building in Mapo-gu, Seoul, officially appointing Lee Jae-sang as the new CEO.
Lee took over from Park Ji-won, with whom he had worked closely as HYBE’s Chief Strategic Officer. Soon after his appointment, CEO Lee addressed the mounting controversy involving NewJeans’ demand for the reinstatement of Min Hee-jin as the CEO of ADOR. Some of his words were,
"We will stick to regulations and respond calmly."
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Fans curious about the next step between NewJeans and HYBE
The issue came to the forefront on September 11, 2024, when NewJeans hosted a YouTube live session on a newly created account. During the broadcast, the group spoke directly to fans about their dissatisfaction with Min Hee-jin’s removal from her CEO role at ADOR.
Min, who had been crucial in shaping the group’s image and career, was reportedly held in high regard by NewJeans. The members expressed frustration with the current management, stating they no longer felt supported and asked HYBE to reinstate Min.
They gave HYBE a specific deadline of September 25th to respond. Later, Korean media reported that the group was hinting at a potential legal battle and separation from the company if their demands were unmet.
Although the live video was taken down shortly after its broadcast, the message left a significant impact. Fans also began speculating about the possibility of the group parting ways with HYBE due to the ongoing internal conflict.
The next day, newly appointed CEO Lee responded to the group's request. He stated,
“It will take time, but we will respond calmly according to our principles. HYBE is a company that adheres to principles and pursues management with integrity. There is no change in this direction. Looking back, those who have followed principles have become the ultimate winners."
However, Min Hee-jin’s removal was a decision made by the ADOR board of directors on August 27. Despite her opposition, ADOR emphasized that the process was legally and procedurally sound. According to the report from Sports Chosun, CEO Lee’s statement could be a subtle indication that NewJeans’ request may not be granted.
Lee’s extensive background in business strategy and leadership has positioned him to navigate this issue. A graduate of Yonsei University, he has worked for major companies like Monitor Group, Hyundai Motor Company, and Google before joining BigHit Entertainment (now HYBE) in 2018, according to the same report.
Since then, he has played a pivotal role in HYBE’s growth, serving in multiple high-level roles, including CSO and COO of HYBE America. His focus now, however, will be on managing the delicate balance between HYBE’s corporate principles and the group’s demands for change.
As fans wait for a resolution, the future of NewJeans under HYBE’s management remains uncertain.
