Former Adore CEO Min Hee-jin has been accused of interfering in the activities of K-pop group NewJeans, sparking controversy and legal actions.
On December 2nd, Dispatch reported that Min Hee-jin had allegedly meddled in NewJeans’ decision to leave Adore, claiming to have obtained messenger records as evidence. These messages purportedly showed that Min was aware of NewJeans member Hani’s National Assembly attendance and a live broadcast, despite the group previously asserting that Min was uninvolved in these decisions.
Dispatch further alleged that Min Hee-jin used NewJeans as her “loudspeaker” and questioned her involvement with the company Dabolink, which is at the center of tampering allegations. According to the report, Min allegedly asked Dabolink’s real owner if she could take NewJeans out of Adore. Dispatch claimed that after this meeting, Min ceased further contact, commenting, “If it succeeds, it’s tampering; if it fails, it’s just a meeting.”
In response, Min Hee-jin filed a lawsuit against former HYBE CEO Park Ji-won, HYBE Chief Public Relations Officer Park Tae-hee, and two Dispatch reporters, Kim Ji-ho and Park Hye-jin. The charges include violations of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection for defamation and network infringement.
Min’s legal representatives released a statement, asserting that since April, HYBE executives Park Ji-won and Park Tae-hee used illegally obtained private conversations to spread false claims and damage Min’s reputation. They further accused Dispatch reporters of knowingly publishing false and speculative articles to defame her.
The statement emphasized, “Today, they published an article completely unrelated to the truth, relying on speculation rather than fact-checking. We aim to expose the lies and hold the defendants accountable through a thorough investigation.”
Full Statement from Min Hee-jin’s Representatives:
*“Hello, this is Macol Consulting Group, alongside Sejong Law Firm, representing former CEO Min Hee-jin.
Former CEO Min Hee-jin has filed a complaint with Yongsan Police Station against former HYBE CEO Park Ji-won, Chief PR Officer Park Tae-hee, and Dispatch reporters Kim Ji-ho and Park Hye-jin for defamation and network infringement under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection.
Since April, Park Ji-won and Park Tae-hee have misused illegally obtained private conversations to create false narratives about Min Hee-jin, damaging her reputation. Dispatch reporters were aware of this but published false, speculative articles to further these claims.
We hope this lawsuit will uncover the truth and ensure those responsible face appropriate legal consequences.”*
This legal battle highlights ongoing tensions between Min Hee-jin and her former colleagues, with serious allegations now subject to judicial review.
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