Stay tuned for Pyo Kyung-min's latest K-pop stories, where she digs into the backstories that matter. She’d love to hear from you — share your thoughts at pzzang@koreatimes.co.kr. After all, every article gets better with insights from those who love the scene, just like she does!
HYBE files police report against NewJeans creator for breach of trust
A woman enters the headquarters of HYBE, the agency of K-pop supergroup BTS, in Yongsan District, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
By Pyo Kyung-min
Ador CEO says feels used by parent company
K-pop giant HYBE said Thursday it filed a complaint with the police against executives of its sublabel Ador, including CEO Min Hee-jin, alleging breach of trust.
In an official statement, HYBE said, "We have obtained concrete evidence confirming a spinoff scheme under the leadership of Ador CEO Min Hee-jin and have secured relevant documentation."
Earlier this week, HYBE launched an audit after detecting signs of Ador's attempt to spin off from the parent company. Taking swift action, HYBE secured access to the subsidiary's computers and digital archives and conducted face-to-face interviews with officials to gather firsthand testimonies.
One member of Ador furnished HYBE with evidence outlining the spinoff strategy, shedding light on interactions between the executives and investors. Additionally, the individual confessed to orchestrating schemes aimed at undermining the parent company.
According to HYBE, the submitted evidence showed that Ador's CEO instructed the sublabel's management team to pressure HYBE into selling its stake in the subsidiary. HYBE holds an 80 percent stake in Ador, while Min is the second-largest shareholder with an 18 percent share.
HYBE said specific measures were discussed, including exploring avenues to terminate its exclusive contracts with Ador's artists, notably NewJeans, and between Min and HYBE.
Ador CEO Min Hee-jin, third from left, and members of K-pop act NewJeans / Captured from Min's social media
HYBE alleges that Ador's executives discussed online preparations for a "public opinion battle" in May, intending to turn Ador into an "empty shell" to facilitate a separation from HYBE. Moreover, they aimed to attract global investors to purchase HYBE's shares of Ador.
In addition to the police complaint, HYBE promised to provide comprehensive support for the psychological well-being of NewJeans members. The agency said that discussions with the members' legal representatives are underway to ensure they are protected.
Park Ji-won, CEO of HYBE, addressed the dispute in a statement, saying, "We deeply regret any concerns caused to fans, artists, and all members during the process of improving the multi-label system."
"We will prioritize healing psychological wounds and providing emotional stability for our K-pop artists, who are our invaluable assets," the CEO added.
On Thursday, HYBE even asserted in a press release that the company uncovered evidence suggesting that the Ador CEO had taken guidance from a female shaman in business operations, including the spinoff scheme.
Regarding HYBE's claims, Min said Monday that HYBE's other subsidiary, Belift Lab, plagiarized NewJeans in the process of creating its newest girl group, ILLIT, and HYBE is trying to fire her after she raised issues of plagiarism.
HYBE, however, said Min's spinoff plan had started before ILLIT's debut.
HYBE's Chairman Bang Si-hyuk directly oversees the group's overall production.
Ador CEO Min Hee-jin speaks during a press event at the Korea Conference Center in Seocho District, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
Min continued to refute HYBE's claims by holding a press conference later on Thursday.
"I'm bewildered by the sudden focus on stripping me of my managerial rights," the Ador CEO said. "Articles have accused me of betrayal, citing snippets from conversations with my co-representative. But these seem selectively chosen to suit HYBE's narrative," she said.
Min elaborated on how her efforts for the label have seemingly backfired, reiterating the claim that HYBE is attempting to dismiss her after she raised concerns within the company, including allegations of plagiarism against ILLIT.
"It's almost like a melodramatic spectacle. I voiced concerns from within the company with the hope of improving it, and that's really the essence of the drama ."
Ador CEO Min Hee-jin speaks at a press conference she organized at the Korea Conference Center in Seocho District, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
Regarding the conversations with other company officials that HYBE cited as evidence for her spin-off allegations, Min said the released information lacks context.
"They've been carefully framed to fit a particular agenda. In the workplace, I think it's natural for employees to vent frustrations if they don't like their supervisors or their jobs ... To understand why such remarks were made, you need to hear the whole story, not conveniently cut out parts."
Min said she felt abandoned by HYBE.
"I'm curious about their intent to package casual conversations as something so serious to vilify me," she said.
"It feels like they've used me to the fullest, sucked me dry, and now that they're done with me, they're trying to suppress me, saying, 'You're too arrogant.' From my perspective, it feels like a witch hunt."