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Posted by Alec06 Monday, August 19, 2024 7,457

HYBE-ADOR VP responds to sexual harassment and bullying sllegations in an in-depth interview

AKP STAFF



HYBE and its subsidiary ADOR have become a black hole consuming all the entertainment industry's controversies, with recent headlines adding provocative claims of "sexual harassment cover-up" and "workplace bullying."

To summarize, Vice President A of ADOR has been accused by employee B of making aggressive remarks and committing sexual harassment during work-related interactions. Employee B, who claims to be the victim, has taken to an anonymous social media account to continue exposing these allegations.

Here is an interview with Vice President A, who has been accused by B:

Q: You've been called 'Min Hee-jin's right-hand person.' What do you think about that?**


A: I joined the company on February 1st of this year, so how could I be her right-hand person? Even when I worked at HYBE, I only met CEO Min Hee-jin two or three times in meetings and didn't know her well. The 'right-hand person' label started appearing in articles about a supposed power struggle, which is baffling. Yesterday, I saw false articles claiming I received 3 billion won and changed my statements. It's terrifying to see these false narratives being crafted, especially since HYBE's internal investigation questioned why I would stake my career on someone I barely know, showing they are fully aware I'm not her right-hand person.

Q: What did you do at HYBE, and why did you move to ADOR?


A: I worked in finance at HYBE for four years. During that time, I had a panic attack due to pressure from my superiors and was even taken to the hospital by ambulance. That experience led me to decide to leave the company. Then, early this year, I learned that ADOR was hiring another vice president, and a friend recommended me. I joined because I thought it would be an opportunity to gain experience in label operations. However, it's unbelievable and extremely distressing that I'm now being attacked by the company where I worked for so long.

Q: Let's talk about the sexual harassment allegations. B has accused you of being the perpetrator.


A: I have never committed sexual harassment. B claims I invited her to an unwanted drinking event, saying it was because she was a "young female" employee, which made her feel uncomfortable. But I never used such an expression. That gathering was a work-related event, and B had specific responsibilities for feedback on the event, long-term planning, and partnerships.

Q: Can you recount what happened that day?


A: The plan was to have a meal and then look around a store. The client had reserved a Chinese restaurant, but since it was fully booked, we switched to an izakaya. I informed B in advance that she could leave early, and I gave her the choice: 1) leave together, 2) finish the meal and then leave, or 3) finish the meal, look around the store, and then leave. I was shocked when B later accused me of sexual harassment, especially since this coincided with her resignation.

Q: Did HYBE's HR department inform you in writing about the sexual harassment investigation?


A: They concluded that it was difficult to determine it as sexual harassment.

Q: What were the findings of the workplace bullying investigation?


A: It was also determined that workplace bullying could not be established.

Q: B claims that only you gave her a poor evaluation, leading to conflicting claims about the evaluation results.


A: There are two evaluations during the six-month probation period, one every three months. When I joined, B's mid-term evaluation had already been completed, and she had received a failing score.

Q: You reportedly offered B another job after she resigned. Is that true?


A: When CEO Min Hee-jin suggested reconciliation, I wanted to resolve things amicably. I proposed finding a role for B where she wouldn't have to work directly with me. B initially responded positively but ultimately declined the offer.

Q: If you believe you did nothing wrong, why did you recently send an apology message?


A: Reflecting on my communication methods, I sent the message as a way to comfort a former subordinate. I also found it distressing to be dragged into this public controversy. I thought B must be feeling similarly, so I reached out out of moral obligation.

Q: There have been reports that you retracted the apology. Did you actually do that?


A: As I mentioned, the original intent of the apology was not to admit guilt. However, seeing headlines claiming I admitted to the allegations was shocking. I clarified that the apology was not an admission of guilt. B distorted this by blurring parts of the message and framing it as a retraction of the apology.

Q: Are you considering legal action against B?


A: I've suddenly been labeled as a "workplace bully" and "sexual harassment perpetrator." When I asked B to take down her Instagram posts and correct the false reports, she accused me of trying to silence her and told me to do what I felt was necessary. I now believe I must file a lawsuit to clear my name.

Q: B has reportedly filed 11 additional complaints of workplace bullying.

A: Yes, I heard that she filed seven complaints before leaving and 11 more after her resignation. I think this is excessive. I'm just a vice president in title, not a board member, and I'm on the same level as B as an employee. I can raise issues too, and I've been deeply troubled by this.

Q: Can you elaborate on these issues?


A: During a salary adjustment, I transparently mentioned that a review was needed because B was earning more than me, which hurt my feelings when she rudely asked why I was earning so little. Additionally, the long messages she claimed were full of respect for the CEO were actually full of gossip about me, which was a shock when I first saw them. B had been badmouthing me behind my back while pretending to learn from and appreciate me in person.

Q: This is a serious issue that could damage your career. Why haven't you spoken out earlier?


A: Even though I was deeply aggrieved, I was scared to enter into a conflict as an individual without power. I never thought of responding because the sexual harassment claim was proven false, and the matter was resolved through reconciliation. But B resurfaced and labeled me as a perpetrator of sexual harassment and workplace bullying. I couldn't remain silent when she was spreading falsehoods. False accusations can destroy a person's life. I'm the victim here, not B.

Q: Do you have anything you want to say to B?


A: I have more questions than things to say. If she truly believed she was sexually harassed and bullied at work, why didn't she file a legal complaint instead of posting on social media? Why did she file 11 more complaints after her previous claims were dismissed, despite initially saying her goal was reconciliation? Why is she attacking me with false information? And how do these stories keep making headlines so quickly? It's all so different from my usual experience that I can't help but wonder.

Q: Any final words?


A: I hope my private messages stop being brought up. I'm tired of the fake news. Many of the stories are now being written as if my messages were part of some fictional narrative. It's frightening to be attacked in this way by a large company.

  1. Min Hee Jin
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