Former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin has spoken out.
Targeting HYBE, Min Hee Jin expressed, "I hope this incident leads to a renewal of the corrupt organization," and strongly criticized, "Don’t cover up wrongdoing with money and power."
Min Hee Jin was ranked first in the '2024 Entertainment Power People' survey conducted by JoyNews24 for its 20th anniversary, with 200 entertainment industry insiders participating.
In a written interview, Min Hee Jin commented, "Although I'm personally bitter and disappointed about becoming widely discussed due to an irrelevant incident in 2024, I’ll try to accept it in a broader context," adding, "If this means I have influence, I’m willing to use it for a greater cause."
The interview also included a sensitive question about her dispute with HYBE. When asked, “You lost a lot due to the conflict with HYBE that started earlier this year. Despite that, is there a reason you feel compelled to stand against them?” Min Hee Jin candidly explained, “The reason I’ve endured this prolonged and painful battle for several months is because neither I nor NewJeans should become victims of HYBE’s retaliatory tactics.”
This is the first time Min Hee Jin has publicly shared her perspective since her reappointment as ADOR CEO was rejected. Her comments come amidst HYBE’s internal report controversy, drawing further attention.
On October 29, the court dismissed Min Hee Jin's injunction against HYBE, and on October 30, her return as CEO was blocked when the ADOR board, composed primarily of HYBE-affiliated members, voted against it.
Reflecting on the prolonged battle that began in April, one may wonder why Min Hee Jin continues to oppose HYBE despite losing so much. To prevent misunderstandings about her stance, Min Hee Jin chose to convey her views directly and in full.
Recalling the audit in April, Min Hee Jin claimed, “All of HYBE’s accusations, initiated through an illegal audit, are fabricated and purely fictional.”
She also stated, “The audit request HYBE sent on April 22 was filled with absurd and false claims based on illegally obtained personal information. This suggests they had accessed private information and formulated questions even before any formal audit had started,” she asserted.
Min Hee Jin accused HYBE of conducting this illegal audit as retaliation, stating, “The HYBE executives decided on a targeted audit as a petty revenge after I openly criticized HYBE Chairman Bang Si Hyuk, former CEO Park Ji Won, and Kim Tae Ho, CEO of Belift Lab, for their mistakes.”
Despite enduring seven months of dispute and significant personal cost, Min Hee Jin shared why she continues the fight: “The first reason is that there is absolutely no reason for me or NewJeans to be victims of HYBE’s irrational and vindictive retaliation. Second, I hope that this exposure of HYBE’s actions will prompt the renewal of a corrupt organization.”
Finally, she concluded, “I sincerely hope we reach a society where wrongdoing can no longer be concealed with money and power.”
Here is the full Q&A with Min Hee Jin:
- You've been chosen as the No.1 'Power Person of 2024' by 200 industry insiders. What does this recognition mean to you?
“Well, it seems like I’ve become widely discussed due to a strange incident in 2024, and personally, it’s disheartening and frustrating. However, I’m trying to accept this with a broader perspective. If this means I’ve gained real influence, I’m willing to use it for the greater good.”
- As both a creator and an executive, you’ve led NewJeans to success. What do you consider most important when managing both planning and company operations, and is there a synergy or unique advantage in combining both roles?
“Integrating planning and management isn’t something everyone needs to pursue, but for me, it’s essential for working efficiently, so I emphasize it. Over the past two years, I believe I’ve already shown this synergy through NewJeans’ success and our creative outcomes.”
- Your refined sensibility and fresh approach were evident not only with NewJeans but also in albums for f(x) and EXO. When planning an album, do you have any strict principles or priorities?
“A commitment to authenticity and a sincere effort to express that essence.”
- You lost a lot due to the conflict with HYBE that began earlier this year. Despite that, why do you feel compelled to stand against them?
“HYBE’s accusations, which began with an illegal audit, are entirely fabricated and fictional.
HYBE widely publicized their ‘April 22 audit launch,’ but the audit request they sent on April 22 was filled with unreasonable, false claims and low-level questions based on illegally obtained personal information. This implies they had already accessed private information and drafted questions before any formal audit began. How can they access someone else’s personal data without consent, like a private investigator? This is nothing short of chilling.
Why would HYBE carry out such a surprise illegal audit? Because I openly criticized Chairman Bang Si Hyuk, former CEO Park Ji Won, and Kim Tae Ho of Belift Lab in front of all the HYBE executives and directors, they retaliated by targeting me with a petty audit.
The reason I’ve continued this prolonged, painful fight at personal expense is, first, because neither I nor NewJeans should be sacrificed to HYBE’s irrational and hostile retaliation; second, I hope this exposure of HYBE’s actions will prompt the renewal of a corrupt organization.
I sincerely hope we reach a society where wrongdoing can no longer be concealed with money and power.”
Korean netizens commended Min Hee Jin for boldly speaking out against a major company in the Korean music industry and they commented:
"Let's so until the end."
"I agree with her fully."
"Min Hee Jin fighting."
"This means that, shockingly, they had already accessed personal information without permission and illegally obtained it to formulate their questions, even before the formal audit began. <- The other issues are serious as well, but the way they handled personal information like this is truly unacceptable. I hope this point is thoroughly addressed. It’s only thanks to Min Hee Jin that this matter has come this far. Go, Min Hee Jin!"
"Honestly, at the first press conference, I thought, 'Whoa, that’s intense,' but it ended up being an incredibly composed and dignified press conference."
"I hope HYBE goes under."
"I hope the company, with its leadership collectively out of touch, disappears."
"I support Min Hee Jin and NewJeans."
"What she said is incredibly courageous."
"HYBE get your act together. Bang Si Hyuk leave."
"After seeing over the past few months how a company can completely go after an individual, there's no way not to support her. Fighting, Min Hee Jin!"
"I agree with Min Hee Jin so much."
"HYBE won't get reformed. It just needs to go under."
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