Hive claims that she made unfair financial support decisions.
Min recently established a new agency called 'OK'.
[TV Daily Kim Ji-hyun Reporter] Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of Ador, has been confirmed to have paid 33 million won monthly to the label BANA, run by her ex-boyfriend. Additionally, it has come to light that she promised to share part of the 25.6 billion won foot option claim with him, causing a stir. This legal battle is ongoing at the Seoul Central District Court.
Hive has alleged that Min Hee-jin was in a relationship with Kim Ki-hyun, the head of BANA, and has pointed to excessive payments, including monthly payments and additional compensation. They claimed that contract revisions were made that favored Kim Ki-hyun financially. In response, Min Hee-jin defended the legitimacy of the payments, stating that these decisions were made after their relationship ended.
Min argued that given the success of NewJeans, appropriate compensation was warranted, and tensions with Hive continue to rise. Allegations related to exclusive contracts between NewJeans and BANA have also emerged, although Min has denied these claims. Presently, Min Hee-jin is establishing a new agency, OK, marking a new beginning.
Min Hee-jin's actions expose the complexities of contracts within the K-pop industry, illustrating how personal relationships can impact business decisions. While her payments can be interpreted as investments for the successful operation of NewJeans, questions of fairness remain. The personal connections among the involved parties raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest that could lead to further controversies in the future.
This case reflects the multi-layered legal battles surrounding contract negotiations and terminations between labels and artists. Specifically, examining how financial commitments such as foot options can change based on personal judgments reveals the unexpected hurdles that can occur in K-pop's production and contract models. This shift could also have ramifications for other artists and contractors in the industry.
Ultimately, Min Hee-jin's newly established agency, OK, signifies her determination to transcend the controversies of the past and embrace a fresh start. The impact of this case on her career will become clearer over time, likely intertwining with the changing trends in the K-pop industry.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: TVDaily
