Author: newjeans

Former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, who led the creation of the girl group NewJeans, has once again emphasized the alleged similarities between NewJeans and HYBE’s newer girl group, ILLIT, in an ongoing legal battle with HYBE Labels. On July 18, the 12th Civil Division of the Seoul Western District Court held the third hearing in a damages lawsuit filed by HYBE Labels against Min, seeking 2.5 billion KRW (approx. $1.8 million) in compensation. During the session, Min’s legal team presented a collection of online comments from platforms such as Theqoo and Instiz, in which users accused ILLIT of imitating NewJeans.…

On July 18, during the third hearing of the 2.5 billion KRW (approximately $1.9 million) damages lawsuit filed by BELIFT LAB against former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, ILLIT’s agency strongly rejected claims that their girl group had copied NewJeans. They argued that Min’s accusations were contradictory and lacked consistency. The hearing, held at the Seoul Western District Court’s 12th Civil Division, featured ILLIT’s legal representatives presenting materials that highlighted similarities between NewJeans and the earlier girl group GFriend (Girlfriend). They pointed to techniques and concepts such as the transition from 16:9 high-definition to 4:3 low-quality video formats, wide-angle shots of girls running…

On July 18, the third hearing for a 2 billion KRW (approximately $1.45 million) damages lawsuit filed by HYBE’s sub-label BELIFT LAB against former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin will be held at the Seoul Western District Court’s Civil Division 12. Originally scheduled for May, the hearing was postponed following a date change request from the plaintiff. The lawsuit centers on Min Hee Jin’s accusations that BELIFT LAB’s girl group ILLIT plagiarized several aspects of NewJeans, the girl group under her leadership at ADOR. During the second hearing held in March, the court ordered both parties to submit their arguments in a…

After 15 months of legal disputes, the conflict between HYBE and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin has entered a new chapter. Police officials in Seoul announced on Tuesday (July 15) that they will drop two criminal complaints filed by HYBE against Min for alleged breach of duty. However, the decision represents a “non-indictment disposition,” meaning the case has been closed at the police level without being forwarded to prosecutors — so it does not signify a final resolution.  Related HYBE responded swiftly, stating, “We will file an objection with the prosecution today regarding the non-indictment decision in the breach of…

A familiar fan-created term, “JangKaSul”—which refers to a visual line comprising IVE’s Jang Wonyoung, NMIXX’s Sullyoon, and aespa’s Karina—is once again stirring debate online. The term, popular on Korean forums, unofficially designates these idols as the top visuals among active K-pop girl group members. However, recent performances by NewJeans’ Haerin, particularly in their “ASAP” stage, have reignited questions among fans about her exclusion. The original poster has passionately commented that “Haerin is 69,696,969 times prettier than Jang Wonyoung” and called her “the true visual ace of fourth-gen girl groups.” The renewed attention on Haerin’s visuals has led fans to question…

SEOUL – Ms Min Hee-jin, the former South Korean producer behind K-pop girl group NewJeans, has been cleared of charges of breach of trust filed by entertainment company Hybe. The 45-year-old is the former chief executive of Ador, the music label of NewJeans and a subsidiary of Hybe. Ms Min’s legal team said on July 15 that the South Korean police found no evidence of illegal conduct on her part after an investigation of more than a year. As a result, the criminal complaint filed by Hybe was dismissed without sending the case to the prosecution.Hybe filed a complaint on…

On July 15, HYBE announced its decision to formally object to the police’s recent decision not to forward the breach of duty case against former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin to prosecutors.  The move comes after the police concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support criminal charges against Min. In a statement, HYBE said, “Following the police’s decision to drop the breach of duty case we filed last year against Min Hee Jin and others, we will immediately submit an objection to the prosecution. Since the police investigation, new developments have occurred, including NewJeans members’ declarations to terminate their contracts, and…

NewJeans has officially ended its promotional ambassador role with the Incheon Airport Customs Office. According to a report by Newsis on July 15, the Incheon Airport Customs announced the conclusion of its ambassador contract with NewJeans. NewJeans was appointed as promotional ambassadors in March 2023. After a year of service, discussions were held between the customs office and NewJeans’ agency, ADOR, regarding a possible extension. However, it was ultimately decided that continuing the role would be difficult, leading to the end of the contract. Speculation had already been circulating that the customs office began searching for new ambassadors as early as March…

The police have concluded that Min Hee Jin, former CEO of ADOR, is not guilty of the breach of trust allegations brought against her by parent company HYBE. On July 15 KST, Min Hee Jin’s side stated, “The Seoul Yongsan Police Station has ruled that Min Hee Jin committed no wrongdoing regarding the breach of trust accusations filed by HYBE in April 2024. After over a year of investigation, both cases submitted by HYBE were dismissed without charges.” Min Hee Jin previously appeared at Yongsan Police Station and underwent approximately eight hours of questioning. She told reporters, “I’ll speak truthfully,”…

NewJeans are continuing their indefinite hiatus following their dispute to terminate their contract with ADOR/HYBE. Summary of NewJeans’ dispute against ADOR The dispute began in November 2024, when all five members announced their plans to terminate their contracts with ADOR, citing the agency’s alleged breach of trust and mistreatment. Following their shocking announcement, NewJeans rebranded to NJZ and declared independent activities outside of ADOR. However, in March 2025, the court ruled in favor of ADOR, banning NewJeans from any solo or independent group activities. NewJeans made a formal appeal to the injunction, but the court dismissed their appeal, reaffirming ADOR’s position. With the ongoing…