Big drama is going down at ADOR, the company behind K-pop sensation NewJeans. On November 20, 2024, Min Hee-jin, who was reappointed as an internal director at ADOR just last month, announced she’s officially stepping down.
According to The Korea Times, she’s also cutting ties with HYBE (ADOR’s parent company) and is ready to “take all necessary legal actions” against them and their affiliates.
“For over seven months, I have endured a nightmarish dispute with HYBE, which began with their illegal audit in April,” Min explained in her statement published on November 20, 2024. “I have made every effort to honor the shareholders’ agreement and restore ADOR to its former state before April. However, HYBE’s refusal to acknowledge their wrongdoing and their unyielding stance left me no choice but to conclude that further efforts would be a waste of time.”
Min also shared how much she cared about protecting NewJeans during this whole ordeal and thanked their fandom, Bunnies, for standing by her. She ended her statement with a hopeful note: “I hope you’ll continue to follow the new K-pop journey I plan to embark on.”
ADOR wasn’t happy about her decision, releasing their own statement: “ADOR is regretful about board member Min Heejin’s unilateral decision to quit the company. We will provide the best support so that NewJeans can grow and develop.”
ICYMI, fans have been pretty worried over the group’s future, as things got even more emotional when NewJeans brought up their struggles while accepting an award at the KGMA just a few days prior.
“Honestly, we don’t know how long we’ll be NewJeans anymore,” member Hanni said. “But the bond between the five of us and Bunnies is unbreakable. So, let’s stick together until the very end.”
Danielle added, “Even if we’re not NewJeans anymore, NewJeans will never die.”
This whole controversy started back in April 2024 when HYBE accused Min of trying to take control of ADOR and NewJeans by working with outside investors. HYBE claimed they had evidence, but Min fired back, saying it was retaliation for calling out another HYBE group, ILLIT, for allegedly copying NewJeans’ unique concept.
Things only got worse when Min was removed as ADOR’s CEO in August. Afterward, NewJeans themselves took a stand, posting a YouTube video (later deleted) where they demanded Min’s return and called out HYBE’s treatment of them. HYBE refused to reinstate her as CEO but offered to keep her as a director and producer.
In October, Hanni even testified before South Korea’s National Assembly Labour Committee, making shocking claims about how HYBE treated NewJeans. “I came to the realization that this wasn’t just a feeling. I was honestly convinced that the company hated us,” she said, sharing a story about how a manager from another HYBE group ignored her on purpose.
But things didn’t go Hanni’s way. On the same day Min announced her resignation, South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor rejected her claims of workplace harassment. They said idols don’t count as “workers” under labor laws, calling them “exceptional entities” instead.
What’s next for Min, NewJeans, and HYBE? Only time will tell.
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