Her fight to protect NewJeans, however, has had negative repercussions for the team.
Concerns are growing over the transforming relationship between Min and NewJeans.
[TV Daily, Kim Ji-ha] On May 12th, the 30th anniversary event of the 5·18 Research Center was held at Jeonnam National University, featuring a special lecture by Min Hee-jin, CEO of ADOR. In her talk, she emphasized the significance of resistance, suggesting that change arises from struggles.
Referring to the historical context of the May 18 Democratic Movement, she urged the audience not to ignore this history. Min framed her conflict with HYBE as a battle to protect NewJeans, highlighting the need for a protective barrier for artists. Yet, in the complex landscape of the K-pop industry, the value of such resistance is juxtaposed with commercial realities.
As time goes on, her arguments seem to be losing credibility. NewJeans initially sought to nullify their contract with ADOR and went through extensive legal battles, ultimately deciding to return. The protracted legal fight led to a halt in the team’s activities, while the market dynamics evolved rapidly. As a result, both NewJeans and Min found themselves bruised by the ongoing disputes, leading to a transformation in their relationship.
Min Hee-jin's lecture highlights the structural limitations within the K-pop industry. While the value of resistance is significant, the public and market often focus primarily on outcomes, potentially overshadowing the meaning behind such symbolic struggles. Additionally, the reality of fostering artist freedom and protection inevitably conflicts with industry interests.
Particularly, the legal disputes surrounding NewJeans greatly affected the team's activities, diverting public attention away from them. Furthermore, the return of BTS under HYBE represents another variable that could disadvantage NewJeans, leading to instability in their market position. The implications of this competition within the industry underscore the risk of negative outcomes.
Since Min Hee-jin does not directly engage in music production, her strategic capabilities may fall short when facing larger entertainment companies. In light of this, whether her 'struggle' can translate into tangible industry benefits remains questionable. As such, practical solutions for NewJeans' future are more crucial than ever.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: TV Daily
