Min Hee-jin denies poaching allegations, says NewJeans tampering claim was stock scheme by outsiders

Attorney Kim Sun-woong of law firm Ji-Am speaks during a press conference on allegations of “tampering” involving former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin in Jongno District, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin’s legal team on Wednesday denied allegations that she was involved in efforts to lure NewJeans away from their agency, arguing that the so-called “tampering” claims stem from actions taken by a family member of one of the members and an outside businessperson.

Speaking at a press conference in Seoul’s Jongno District, attorney Kim Sun-woong of law firm Ji-Am addressed the media on Min’s behalf. He said Min was not able to attend due to psychological stress caused by the ongoing dispute.

Kim emphasized that the purpose of the event was to clarify what he called the “truth and essence” of the poaching allegations, which are tied to lawsuits filed by Ador against Min.

According to Kim, the allegations do not involve Min, but instead center on “a public scheme” carried out by the uncle of one NewJeans member and a businessperson. He claimed the two sought to use NewJeans and Min in an attempt to manipulate stock prices.

The tampering allegations first surfaced in April 2024, when HYBE Labels launched an internal audit of Min. HYBE accused Min of attempting to seize control of Ador, and she was dismissed from her position as CEO four months later.

Kim said that when the allegations first emerged, Min sought a settlement with HYBE to ensure NewJeans’ return to activities. He claimed that during this process, a family member of one of the group’s members, who had personal ties to HYBE’s senior management, exploited Min’s situation and drew in market manipulation forces, which he described as the core of the tampering allegations.

Ex-Ador CEO Min Hee-jin / Korea Times file

Kim further alleged that Ador and its controlling shareholders were already aware of the attempted stock manipulation, but instead of protecting NewJeans, they sought to use the allegations in their dispute with Min by requesting evidence from the member’s family. Telegram messages and audio recordings allegedly supporting this claim were disclosed during the press conference.

Kim said Min had previously refrained from publicly responding to “false reports” in order to protect the NewJeans members and their families.

NewJeans held an emergency press conference in November 2024 to announce their intention to terminate their exclusive contracts, citing a breakdown of trust. Ador subsequently filed a lawsuit seeking confirmation that their contracts remained valid. In October 2025, a court ruled in favor of Ador at the first trial.

Following the ruling, members Haerin, Hyein and Hanni have reached agreements with Ador regarding their return. Minji remains in discussions with the agency, while Danielle was removed from the group after Ador notified her of contract termination on Dec. 29, 2025.

Ador later filed lawsuits seeking penalties and damages against Danielle, one of her family members and Min. The total amout sought by Ador is approximately 43.1 billion won ($30.2 million).