On November 27, Min Hee-jin appeared at the Seoul Central District Court for a hearing in her civil lawsuit against HYBE over a put option-related stock payment. During the proceedings, she was questioned about how she joined HYBE following her departure from SM Entertainment.
Min explained that she resigned from SM on December 31, 2018, and had received numerous offers from other companies at the time. “My departure wasn’t widely known within SM because there were internal attempts to dissuade me. But just two days later, on January 2, 2019, Bang Si-hyuk contacted me through a headhunter, and we met the following week,” she said.
She continued, “I asked how he found out about my resignation so quickly, and he told me that there was an informant within SM. Bang said he was glad I left and emphasized how much he wanted to recruit someone like me.”
Despite having talks with other companies, Min said Bang Si-hyuk continued to express his vision and desire to work with her. “He told me he lacked confidence in producing girl groups and said he needed me. We met again for a meal, during which he reiterated his intentions.”
During that meal, Min’s parents unexpectedly called. She recounted, “I told my mom I’d call her back because I was eating with Bang Si-hyuk, but she asked to speak with him. Bang took the call and told my father, ‘I’ll support whatever your daughter wants to do. I’ve been a long-time fan of Hee-jin and really want to work with her. I’m a successful fan.’”
She concluded by saying that Bang’s trust and genuine support were key factors in her decision. “When someone believes in me this much and offers me the freedom to do what I want, I felt this was the right place.”
Sources: Daum
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