In a dramatic turn within the K-pop industry, former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin has proposed sacrificing a substantial court-awarded settlement to resolve the escalating legal conflict between entertainment conglomerate Hybe and chart-topping girl group NewJeans.
The dispute reached a critical juncture when Min publicly declared her willingness to forgo 25.6 billion won ($17.9 million) awarded to her in a recent put option ruling if Hybe withdraws all ongoing lawsuits against the five-member ensemble. The executive emphasized her emotional connection to the artists, stating she could no longer witness the group being ‘torn apart’ in legal battles when they should be performing on stage.
The conflict originated in August 2024 when Hybe terminated Min’s position as CEO of ADOR, its subsidiary label managing NewJeans. This triggered a chain reaction wherein the group announced intentions to follow their mentor out of the company. However, a Seoul district court ruling in October 2024 enforced the members’ contractual obligations with ADOR until 2029.
Hybe escalated the situation in December by initiating termination proceedings against member Danielle Marsh for alleged contract violations, simultaneously pursuing damages. This move intensified fan outrage and drew global attention to the treatment of artists within the K-pop industry’s corporate structure.
Min’s proposal extends beyond financial settlement, demanding the withdrawal of all civil and criminal proceedings not only against NewJeans members but also involving external partners, former ADOR employees, and fans entangled in the dispute. She framed the offer as necessary to protect the artists, their families, and supporters from ‘unnecessary noise.’
The ball now rests in Hybe’s court, with industry observers awaiting the entertainment giant’s response to this unprecedented settlement offer. Min concluded her statement with a symbolic appeal to Hybe chairman Bang Si-hyuk, suggesting they shift their confrontation ‘from the courtroom to the space of creation.’