Both parties present contrasting accounts regarding statements made during the press conference.
This case may incite discussions about collaboration and roles within the music industry.
[TV Daily, Kim Hangil] Sourcemusic claims that Min Hee-Jin, former CEO of ADOR, has defamed the company with false statements made during a press conference. In contrast, Min's team insists that these remarks were defensive responses to HYBE's audits and media portrayals, and they contend that only fragments of the two-hour meeting have been misconstrued.
On the afternoon of December 19, the Seoul Western District Court's Civil Division 12 held the fifth trial session regarding Sourcemusic's claim for 500 million won in damages against Min Hee-Jin. Sourcemusic had previously alleged that during a press conference last year, Min stated she directly cast the members of NewJeans, while claiming that her company had neglected them and that HYBE broke promises regarding their debut order, thus harming the company's reputation.
Min's legal representatives argue that these claims are not false but rather a reflection of her contributions to the NewJeans debut process based on her experiences. They also emphasize that the interpretation of the term 'casting' could vary, and the entire context of the remarks must be taken into account. The ongoing legal battle highlights the complexities surrounding the interpretation of statements and their implications.
This case illustrates how relationships between artists and producers can escalate into legal disputes. The controversy surrounding Min Hee-Jin's statements highlights varying interpretations within the music industry as they have been brought to court. As public interest in artists' debut processes grows, such issues come increasingly to the forefront.
Moreover, the case serves as a reminder of structural problems within the industry, where boundaries concerning the authority and roles of agencies and producers appear unclear. While Sourcemusic alleges that Min specified her singular role in casting NewJeans, she counters by emphasizing her contributions. These contrasting claims may spark discussions about collaboration and individual roles within the music sector.
Finally, this legal dispute may have significant ramifications for fans. They might start contemplating various scenarios around the backgrounds and debut processes of artists, and they should closely observe how this legal entanglement could affect the artists' images and public perceptions.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: DB
