Court rules HYBE’s audit of Min Hee-Jin was lawful; says her public campaign was for ‘independence’, not ‘protecting NewJeans’

HYBE Vs Min Hee Jin

The ongoing legal tussle between HYBE and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-Jin has taken a major turn. In its latest ruling, the Seoul Central District Court has declared that HYBE’s audit of Min was not an act of retaliation, but a legitimate corporate measure.

The court further stated that Min’s public campaign, which included press conferences and media interviews, was aimed at asserting independence, not protecting NewJeans.

On October 30, the court’s Civil Division 41 (Chief Judge Jung Hoe-Il) issued its verdict in the lawsuit filed by ADOR to confirm the validity of its exclusive contract with NewJeans members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein.

The bench ruled in favour of ADOR, reaffirming the legality of the contract despite Min Hee-Jin’s dismissal from her CEO post in August 2024.

“It is difficult to conclude that ADOR breached the exclusive contract solely by dismissing former CEO Min Hee-Jin,” the judgment read. “Even after removal from the CEO position, she could have continued her duties as a board director.”

The court also clarified that Min’s removal was not central to determining the validity of NewJeans’ contract, and no contractual clause tied the group’s activities exclusively to her leadership.

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The bench addressed Min’s much-publicised campaign earlier in 2024, during which she accused HYBE of favouring LE SSERAFIM over NewJeans and claimed that ILLIT had copied the group’s concept. “Former CEO Min Hee-Jin was the first to initiate a public campaign after April 2024.

This movement was not for protecting NewJeans, but for the purpose of achieving independence,” the court stated.

Min’s press conference in April 2024 triggered a wave of legal fallout. Source Music (LE SSERAFIM’s agency) filed a defamation suit worth 5 billion KRW (approx 3.5 million USD), while BELIFT LAB, representing ILLIT, sought 20 billion KRW (approx 14 million USD) in damages.

In November 2024, NewJeans themselves held a press conference announcing they were terminating their contract with ADOR, citing a breach of trust. ADOR countered a month later with its own lawsuit, insisting the contract remained valid.