“HYBE was like hell. I endured it only because of NewJeans.”
This was the emotional statement from former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin during a civil hearing on November 27 at the Seoul Central District Court regarding a stock purchase claim related to her put option against HYBE. Reiterating her stance, Min emphasized, “If money was my goal, I could’ve waited until January 2026 and tripled the value. I don’t need ₩100 billion. I’m doing this only for NewJeans.”
However, objective evidence paints a different picture.
Min Hee Jin received exceptional treatment and compensation during her time at ADOR, according to HYBE. In 2024, she was paid around ₩2.7 billion an extraordinary sum for someone from a creative background, indicating HYBE’s strong trust in her. In 2021, HYBE created ADOR, handed her the CEO position, and granted her wide-ranging operational authority essentially giving her a leadership role comparable to that of an executive.
Though Min claimed HYBE interfered in her work, she has failed to provide concrete examples. Her main argument that her email about ILLIT allegedly copying NewJeans was ignored lacks substance, especially as the email was sent during a period when she was reportedly planning independence from HYBE alongside close aides.
Contrary to her statements, HYBE accommodated many of her requests. Notably, none of the NewJeans members were scouted by Min. Hyein was recruited after Source Music’s CEO personally persuaded her parents. Minji joined before Min entered HYBE. Haerin was cast by Source Music on the streets, and Danielle joined after a staff member switched companies. Hanni came from a joint HYBE-Source Music audition.
To support Min’s vision, HYBE even transferred NewJeans (N Team) from Source Music to ADOR at Min’s request. Ironically, this move cost NewJeans the title of “HYBE’s first girl group,” which went to LE SSERAFIM under Source Music. It wasn’t HYBE’s favor toward NewJeans but its trust in Min that led to this strategic reshuffle.
HYBE also gave Min full control over NewJeans’ debut. ADOR was built around this purpose, and Min had complete autonomy over timing, concept, music, and branding. If HYBE had micromanaged ADOR, as Min claims, then the success of NewJeans would have been HYBE’s doing not hers. Her argument undermines her own contributions.
Min’s claim that “HYBE was hell” becomes harder to believe when factoring in her lucrative contract, the put option allowing her to sell back shares for three times their value, and the immense trust placed in her.
Ultimately, it was Min Hee Jin not HYBE who created this “hell.” The court’s first ruling in the exclusive contract dispute between ADOR and NewJeans reveals the heart of the issue. The judge acknowledged Min as the root of internal conflict, noting she attempted to sway public opinion by involving members’ parents and seemed to plan an independent path with NewJeans.
Furthermore, the court dismissed her plagiarism accusations against ILLIT due to insufficient evidence.
Both the disclosed facts and the legal judgment show a reality far removed from the “hellish” narrative Min Hee Jin continues to present. Her story of sacrifice for NewJeans no longer holds the same weight.
Sources: Daum
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