1 week Ago By [email protected](KoreaTimes)
Former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin says she plans to move forward with NewJeans' future activities despite her ongoing dispute with HYBE. Korea Times file Min talks about future plans in interview with Japanese media outlet By KTimes Despite being currently embroiled in a dispute with parent company Hybe, Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of K-pop label Ador, expressed her determination to move forward with girl group NewJeans' future plans. "I have a plan to overcome these challenges," the embattled former CEO said.
She made the remark during an interview with Japan's TV Asahi/ANN News program News Station, Tuesday. In the interview, Min said: "At the moment, I have not signed a producer contract with Hybe or Ador, so I am not a producer or CEO. I am only acting with the authority of a company director, so in reality, I’m in a kind of (a) 'floating' situation.
" Still, she said she is continuing to work on NewJeans-related tasks. Min said she initially planned a NewJeans world tour in 2025, followed by the release of a full-length album early in the year. However, despite continuing her work, she said she feels stuck "in a state of uncertainty" about the next steps and hopes to resolve the situation quickly.
While Min mentioned having a plan to overcome her current challenges and conflict with Hybe, she did not disclose specific details. Min filed for an injunction against Hybe, Ador’s major shareholder, claiming her dismissal as CEO was unjust. She demanded Hybe exercise its voting rights to reappoint her as CEO, as per their shareholder agreement.
The hearing took place on Friday, and the court plans to make a decision by Oct. 25. "It’s contradictory for Hybe to accuse me of embezzlement while offering me a producer role.
When I wanted to create a new type of label that could bring a new wave to K-pop, Hybe asked me to do it together," she said. "I chose Hybe out of many options, but if these things weren’t guaranteed, I wouldn’t have joined Hybe." She said that only managing the creative side can’t fix systematic contradictions and dilemmas.
For her vision to succeed, production, investment and management must all work together, which is why she underscored the necessity of her reinstatement as CEO. Hanni of NewJeans answers questions from lawmakers during the Environment and Labor Committee's National Assembly audit in Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap Hanni's testimony Regarding the testimony of NewJeans member Hanni during a National Assembly hearing, where Hanni expressed that she had experienced workplace bullying, Min said, "Hanni’s mother (who resides in Australia) is not in Seoul, so naturally, I’m acting as her guardian and support system in Seoul.
I have no desire to treat the young NewJeans members like avatars." The 20-year-old singer recounted an incident where she was ignored by a manager from another Hybe subsidiary label, shedding light on harassment in the entertainment industry. Min said, "This is not just a test affecting my life alone, but the lives of everyone I work with, and that’s why I’m fighting.
I believe that justice will prevail, and that’s why I’m taking this on." She also added, "This dispute will come to an end in some form, and although things are temporarily on hold, we’ll be able to use this in a different way later on." Hanni, a member of the K-pop girl group NewJeans, shared her testimony at a National Assembly audit as a witness Tuesday.
Here she is looking at Kim Joo-young, CEO of her label, Ador. Yonhap Although the conflict between Hybe and Min has continued for nearly six months, Hybe continues to encourage its employees. Hybe CEO Lee Jae-sang addressed the staff during a town hall meeting Monday, saying, "If you trust and wait, you’ll see the knot gradually untangle," and added, "We are handling things in a principled and rational manner.
" He also expressed his sincere gratitude to the staff, acknowledging their hard work despite the difficult circumstances, urging the staff to support and encourage one another. In response to growing concerns over Hybe's financial health, the company announced Tuesday its decision to issue 400 billion won ($310 million) worth of convertible bonds (CB). The bonds carry a zero-percent interest rate and early redemption yield, and the proceeds will be used to repay nearly 400 billion won to investors who exercised their put options on CBs issued in 2021.
During the town hall meeting, CEO Lee reassured employees, saying, "The company’s financial health is very strong. We have 1.2 trillion won in available cash.
" This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times..
