HYBE vs. Min Hee Jin: Inside the High-Stakes Legal Battle Over ADOR and NewJeans
Seoul, South Korea — A protracted legal battle between entertainment giant HYBE and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin has revealed the contentious details of a shareholder agreement at the heart of their months-long public feud.
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By 티비텐 TV10, CC BY 3.0, Link |
The Shareholder Agreement and “Slave Contract” Claims
The conflict traces back to a 2021 shareholder agreement signed during the establishment of ADOR, the label behind the chart-topping girl group NewJeans.
- Min Hee Jin owns 18% of ADOR, while HYBE controls 80%.
- Min has publicly denounced the contract as a “slave contract.”
- HYBE, however, argues the deal follows industry standards and actually granted Min highly favorable compensation.
The Put Option Dispute
At the center of the feud is a put option clause, which would allow Min to sell part of her ADOR shares back to HYBE.
- Min claims the option is worth about 26 billion KRW (~$19 million USD).
- HYBE insists her right to exercise the option ended when they terminated the shareholder agreement, sparking a legal fight over its validity.
Accusations and Counterclaims
The courtroom has become a stage for both sides to air accusations:
- HYBE’s claims: Min tried to seize management control of ADOR and leaked confidential company data.
- Min’s defense: She was unfairly dismissed, HYBE violated the shareholder agreement, and the company orchestrated a smear campaign.
NewJeans’ Parents Enter the Dispute
The controversy has extended beyond executives, with NewJeans members and their parents voicing support for Min Hee Jin. They have publicly demanded her reinstatement as CEO, framing her as vital to the group’s success and creative vision.
What’s Next?
As the court prepares for its final hearings, the decision could reshape the future of:
- Min Hee Jin’s career and her stake in ADOR.
- HYBE’s reputation as South Korea’s biggest entertainment conglomerate.
- The trajectory of NewJeans, whose global success has amplified the stakes of this legal showdown.
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