HYBE accuses Min Hee Jin of orchestrating fake Sajaegi attack on ILLIT and LE SSERAFIM

Min Hee Jin, HYBE

The war between HYBE and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin just got uglier. In a fresh courtroom twist, HYBE has accused Min of orchestrating a fake sajaegi scandal aimed at its own girl groups ILLIT and LE SSERAFIM.

The explosive claim surfaced during a second hearing on September 11, as both sides clashed over the so-called “put option” issue and contract disputes surrounding NewJeans.

The company insists Min crossed the line. “This was not just business differences—it’s a breach of trust,” HYBE’s Chief Legal Officer Jung Jin Soo argued, presenting internal documents as proof.

What HYBE Claims

According to reports, HYBE alleges that Min and former ADOR vice president Lee Sang Woo had planned to link ILLIT and LE SSERAFIM to chart manipulation rumors before ILLIT had even debuted.Project 1945 documents that offered strategies as early as March 2, 2024, were introduced in court.

The timeline delves into important dates, such as March 25th, the day of ILLIT's debut, and February 19th, the return of LE SSERAFIM with their third mini album. According to HYBE, these were specifically targeted for negative narratives.

The Alleged “Public Opinion Plan”

The accusations don’t stop at sajaegi. HYBE claims Min was behind wider public opinion manipulation—everything from “same concept photos” allegations to seeding controversies about staff, community investigations, and even suggesting NewJeans was being imitated.

Also read: HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk faces stock fraud probe after 14 hour police questioning

A March 29 meeting between Min and the parents of ADOR’s girl group members allegedly produced more evidence of coordinated online narratives. To HYBE, it all paints a picture of deliberate sabotage.

What Comes Next

The legal battle is far from over. With no settlement reached in earlier mediation, the case now pushes toward a verdict announcement on October 30.

Also read: Patricia Crowley, ‘Please Don’t Eat the Daisies’ star, dies at 91 in Los Angeles

Min, who built her reputation by shaping NewJeans’ global success, finds herself in an escalating fight not just over contracts but over her legacy.

For fans, it’s a bewildering sight: one of K-pop’s biggest labels and one of its most creative executives tearing each other apart in court.