HYBE clarifies BTS RM's solo album date preceded NewJeans debut announcement; states Min Hee Jin was informed in advance

HYBE clarifies that BTS RM's solo album date was announced before the debut announcement of NewJeans, affirming prior notification to Min Hee Jin.

Amidst mounting tensions and speculation, HYBE has addressed concerns regarding the simultaneous album releases of BTS' RM and the debut of NewJeans. Allegations of strategic maneuvering surfaced, suggesting HYBE may have leveraged RM's solo album against NewJeans amid ongoing conflicts with ADOR's CEO, Min Hee Jin.

Responding to these claims, HYBE issued an official statement on April 28, 2024. The statement emphasised the autonomy of each label within HYBE and clarified that overlapping release dates can occur due to scheduling conflicts. Importantly, the decision to schedule RM's album on May 24 was made in consultation with and approved by CEO Min Hee Jin herself.

The situation unfolded when Min Hee Jin announced NewJeans' double single release on May 24 in Korea and June 21 in Japan. Shortly after, BIGHIT announced RM's second solo album, 'Right Place, Wrong Person', also slated for May 24. This sequence of events led to speculation that HYBE may have orchestrated competition between labels to hinder NewJeans' comeback amid the ongoing clash with Min Hee Jin. However, recent statements from HYBE have dismissed these rumours.

The ongoing feud between HYBE and ADOR escalated with HYBE launching an audit against Min Hee Jin, alleging misconduct including attempts to secure independent management rights for ADOR and sharing confidential financial information externally. In response, Min Hee Jin vehemently denied these accusations and criticized HYBE for neglecting NewJeans' promotional activities during a critical period.

Despite the controversy, NewJeans is gearing up for their comeback, with a single album including tracks like 'How Sweet' and 'Bubble Gum' (already released) set to release on May 24 in South Korea. Additionally, their debut in Japan is imminent, with tracks like 'Supernatural' and 'Right Now' slated for release on June 21.