Min is currently involved in an appeal regarding a put option with HYBE and other lawsuits with ADOR.
Her legal struggles reveal the complex landscape of the Korean music industry.
Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of ADOR, is set to face renewed legal battles with two of HYBE's labels, Source Music and BELIFT Lab. According to reports from Star News, both labels have filed a total of 25 billion won in damages against her, which will resume on May 15 at the Seoul Western District Court. Initially, these lawsuits were postponed as the court awaited outcomes from related cases, but the scheduling has now been confirmed, heralding a new round of courtroom clashes. Currently, Min is also preparing for an appeal in a 256 billion won lawsuit regarding a put option against HYBE, while also involved in a separate 430 billion won damage suit concerning NewJeans. Recently, her legal team proposed to halt all ongoing lawsuits in exchange for dropping the put option; however, HYBE has rejected this offer and is pursuing enforcement measures. As a result, Min will not only continue her large-scale lawsuits against HYBE and ADOR but also face legal disputes with the labels under them.
Min Hee-jin's ongoing legal battles highlight the complexities of the South Korean music industry beyond personal conflicts. Her relationship with HYBE is intertwined with the fame she garnered while leading NewJeans, creating issues that are not easily resolved and underscoring the significance of trust and contracts between artists and labels. This scenario also significantly impacts fans, who are seen voicing support for their preferred artists’ reputations amid the turmoil.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: TVDaily
