“The five must be cherished now that they’ve returned. Dragging them into unnecessary conflict doesn’t help.”
That’s the message from Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of ADOR, who shared her thoughts once more on the return of NewJeans. However, her plea to protect the members from controversy is not resonating with the public many see it as ironic, given her previous actions.
On November 15, attorney Noh Young-hee shared a statement from Min Hee-jin during her YouTube broadcast. In the message, Min emphasized, “From the beginning, the entire structure looks, sound, color, style, even choreography was designed with all five girls in mind. That’s what made NewJeans a phenomenon.”
She added, “NewJeans is only complete with five. Their colors and voices create a perfect synergy. Now that they’re back, they should be treasured. Unnecessary noise and interpretations won’t help.”
Min continued, “Although this issue is aimed at me, please don’t involve the kids. They deserve protection and should not be used. NewJeans only exists as five.”
However, the irony hasn’t gone unnoticed. Public sentiment overwhelmingly disagrees starting with the claim that “the five have returned,” which is factually disputed. On November 12, Haerin and Hyein officially announced their return via ADOR. Meanwhile, Minji, Hanni, and Danielle declared their intent to return through legal representatives without prior coordination with ADOR. Unlike the two members who returned following mutual discussion, the three did so unilaterally.
This sudden return announcement mirrors the dramatic press conference where the three previously declared their exit from ADOR prompting many to raise eyebrows. Crucially, ADOR did not immediately accept the announcement. The label stated it was “verifying the authenticity” of the claims and promised to proceed with one-on-one discussions for a smoother resolution.
Following the trio’s statement, Min expressed that their decision must have come after “deep reflection and dialogue” and reiterated her belief that NewJeans must always remain five. She once again emphasized that the group should not be “used,” but her insistence on the unity of five is being challenged especially since ADOR has not yet officially accepted the three back.
Moreover, it’s Min’s appeal not to involve the members that is drawing the most criticism precisely because she is the one who initially did so. According to the court ruling on the ADOR contract lawsuit, the judge remarked that Min pursued public opinion warfare not to protect NewJeans, but to gain independence. Her recent plea now appears as a textbook case of hypocrisy.
Min also didn’t stop with NewJeans LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT, and other HYBE groups have arguably suffered the most due to her public tactics. Even as NewJeans moves toward reconciliation, Min continues her legal battles with HYBE. In her most recent suit against BELIFT LAB, evidence was revealed that Min had actively leveraged rival groups in her media strategy. It is these groups not just NewJeans that should be protected.
Her call to shield the five members also loses credibility given that NewJeans themselves were not passive. Initially, it was argued that the girls were being dragged into adult conflicts against their will. But NewJeans later made their own voices heard through press conferences and interviews clearly aligning themselves with Min. If Min involved other groups, NewJeans amplified the conflict, not just passively but actively.
If NewJeans are to truly be “cherished,” as Min says, then they too must take responsibility for the harm caused showing a willingness to resolve issues, not just claim victimhood.
Sources: naver
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