Former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin Resigns

In a startling turn of events within the K-pop industry, Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of Ador, announced her resignation as the label's internal director on Wednesday, effectively severing all ties with HYBE Labels amidst a tumultuous legal conflict.

“I am resigning as an internal director of Ador,” Min stated in her official announcement. “I will terminate the shareholders' agreement with HYBE and seek legal accountability for breaches of that agreement. Additionally, I intend to address the numerous unlawful acts committed by HYBE and its affiliates.”

Escalating Feud with HYBE

This resignation follows an escalating feud that started in April when HYBE accused Min and her management team of embezzlement and attempting to gain control over Ador. In a dramatic twist, Min countered these claims by alleging that the dispute stems from accusations that NewJeans, the rising star group under Ador, had its original concepts plagiarized by a different subsidiary of HYBE.

The tensions reached a peak on August 27 when HYBE removed Min from her CEO role but kept her as an internal director. However, the Ador board ultimately decided against reinstating her, turning her resignation into a significant news story within the K-pop community.

Min's Statement on the Dispute

“I have endured a nightmarish dispute with HYBE for over seven months,” Min declared. “It all began with their illegal audit in April. I attempted to uphold the shareholders' agreement and restore Ador, but their refusal to take responsibility left me no choice but to resign.”

In her statement, Min disclosed that she reached out to HYBE through whistleblower communications in April, aiming to expose alleged internal misconduct and protect NewJeans from potential fallout. “I wanted HYBE to acknowledge their mistakes and worked tirelessly to shield NewJeans from corruption within the company,” she remarked, accusing HYBE of portraying her as a power-hungry figure in what she described as a “witch hunt.”

Accusations Against HYBE

Min asserted that HYBE's lack of response to her whistleblower efforts was driven entirely by profit motives. “The actions of HYBE in 2024 will be remembered in K-pop history as unprecedented,” she said. She also expressed gratitude to the fans of NewJeans, known as 'Bunnies,' for their unwavering support during these trying times, and hinted that a new chapter in her career awaits.

NewJeans' Support and Future Speculations

In a show of solidarity with Min, NewJeans intensified the ongoing conflict earlier this month by sending a legal notice demanding her reinstatement as CEO. The group has warned that they would consider terminating their contracts if HYBE fails to oblige, giving them a strict 14-day deadline to address the allegations.

This shocking resignation and the subsequent developments have ignited speculation about NewJeans potentially severing their relationships with HYBE altogether, reshaping the landscape of K-pop and the dependencies of its artists on their management companies. Stay tuned as this unfolding drama continues to capture the attention of fans across the globe!