Ador CEO Min files complaint against Hybe over internal audit
AdorCEO Min Hee-jin / Yonhap
Min Hee-jin, the head of K-pop agency Ador behind girl group NewJeans, has filed a complaint against Hybe's current head and other executives for defamation and business obstruction connected to an audit conducted on the sub-label, her representatives said Wednesday.
The complaint was filed with the Yongsan Police Station against current Hybe CEO Park Ji-won and four other executives, Min's side said.
The legal action relates to an internal audit Hybe conducted on Ador in April. Following that, the parent company filed breach of trust accusations against Min, claiming she had plotted to seize control of Ador and take NewJeans with her.
Hybe, the K-pop powerhouse behind BTS, holds an 80 percent stake in Ador.
In her complaint, Min accused Hybe of forcibly seizing personal computers and illegally accessing private messenger messages from them.
Her side also argued that such messages were edited and distorted to turn public opinion against her.
After Hybe formally lodged a breach of trust complaint, it attempted to remove Min as CEO through a shareholders' meeting, but she retained her seat after a Seoul court granted an injunction against Hybe's plan.
Hybe immediately issued a statement contradicting Min's claims, asserting that it will file its own complaint against what it called Min's "false accusations."
Hybe said Min has not submitted any "information property," including a laptop, to the company, and that those submitted by two Ador deputy heads were provided with their consent. (Yonhap)