Former ADOR employee B accused Director A of making abusive remarks and sexually harassing her. B claimed to be the victim and created an SNS account to post revelations about the sexual harassment case.
Sports World reached out to director A, whom B pointed out as the perpetrator, to conduct an interview.
Below is the full interview in detail.
Q: You are called “Min Hee-jin’s right-hand man”, right?
A: I just joined the company on February 1st this year, so how can I be her right-hand man? Even when I was still working at HYBE, I met CEO Min only two or three times, so I didn’t know her well. People have been calling me like that since the articles were published, but I find it absurd when people keep targeting me. There were some strange articles spreading similar false information. When HYBE conducted their audit, they knew very well that I was not her right-hand man, but still asked ‘How close are you with CEO Min to bet your life on her?’. From that question, I could see their clear intention of framing me. It’s so scary.
Q: What did you do when you were in HYBE and why did you move to ADOR?
A: I worked in HYBE’s finance department for 4 years. While working for HYBE, I collapsed with panic disorder due to pressure from my boss and was hospitalized in an ambulance. Therefore, I decided to leave the company. Later, I heard ADOR was hiring a director, I decided to move there earlier this year at the recommendation of an acquaintance. I thought I could gain experience in the label, however, I can’t believe the place where I worked for a long time is now attacking me. I feel so upset.
Q: Regarding the sexual harassment suspicion, B identified you as the perpetrator.
A: I’ve never sexually harassed B. B claimed that she felt sexually offended when I asked her to attend a drinking party she didn’t want to join because she was a “young woman” in charge of the task, but I never used such an expression. In addition, it was a business meeting. As the person in charge of the task, B had a clear agenda to discuss, such as event feedback, long-term plans, and partnerships.
Q: Can you recall what happened that day?
A: Our plan was to have a meal and look around the store. The advertiser wanted to reserve a table at a Chinese restaurant, but it was fully booked, so we switched to an izakaya restaurant. I informed B of that in advance, adding that she could leave early and giving her the right to decide between three options: 1. We all leave together, 2. Finish the meal and then leave, 3. Finish the meal, look around the store and then leave. I was very shocked when B resigned and accused me of sexual harassment.
Q: Did you receive any written notification from HYBE HR about sexual harassment?
A: The decision was that it was difficult to consider it sexual harassment
Q: How about the result of the investigation into workplace bullying?
A: It was also difficult to establish a charge
Q: B claimed that you were the only person who gave her a bad evaluation?
A: There are two evaluations during a 6-month internship. It is conducted every three months and by the time I joined the company, B’s intern evaluation results were already announced. Her performance was below the requirements.
Q: Did you offer another job to B after she left the company?
A: When CEO Min suggested reconciliation, I wanted to do my best so I offered B a position where she could work well without interacting with me because I was afraid that she might feel uncomfortable. B said she would positively consider it but turned down the offer in the end.
Q: Why did you send an apology when you claim that you did nothing wrong?
A: I was reflecting on my communication method. In fact, I sent it as an expression of comfort to a subordinate as her former superior. I thought the issue would cause me to become the center of public gossip and I didn’t want it to happen. I believed that B might feel the same so I reached out to her with a sense of duty.
Q: There were articles saying you canceled the apology
A: That’s not the intention of my apology. I never admitted to any allegations. I explained that I didn’t admit to any allegation, however, B skillfully blurred that part and distorted it as “canceling the apology”.
Q: Are you planning to take legal action against B?
A: I was labeled as a director who bullied and sexually harassed an employee overnight. I asked B to correct the false articles but she didn’t do it. I guess I should file a complaint to clear the allegations.
Q: It is said that B reported 11 additional cases of workplace harassment.
A: I’m just a regular employee like B, not an executive, despite holding the director position. I can raise concerns too. I was also very distressed.
Q: What were the complaints about?
A: When salary adjustments were necessary, I transparently said, “We need to adjust the salary. You are earning more than me.” But it hurt my feelings when she rudely asked me, “Why do you get paid so little?”. Also, I can’t forget the shock I felt when I first saw the long Kakaotalk messages full of respect she wrote to CEO Min, but full of slander about me. She went around asking various people for negative opinions about me and shared them all. I was dumbfounded by all the malicious comments. I didn’t know someone who told me how grateful she was and how much she learned from working with me would be badmouthing me behind my back.
Q: Why didn’t you come forward earlier?
A: It was unfair but I was scared to be the center of dispute since I’m just a powerless person. I couldn’t think of anything to respond to B because the sexual harassment report had been confirmed to be false and it was over. However, I couldn’t stand seeing B making false claims about me anymore. I am the victim, not B.
Q: Is there anything you want to say to B?
A: More than saying something, I have a lot of questions to ask her. If you think I did that to you, sue me. Why did you post on social media? Why are you attacking me with false information? What was your intention in accusing me when the reports were confirmed to be false? Etc.
Q: The last thing you want to say?
A: I hope we can stop talking about Kakaotalk conversation. I’m tired of all the fake news. My Kakaotalk messages are being distorted and used in most cases. They were leaked illegally and I’m so scared to see a large company attacking me like this.
Source: Nate
