The conflict between HYBE and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin has taken a significant shift following the police’s decision not to indict Min for breach of trust. After nearly a year of investigation, Seoul’s Yongsan Police Station announced on July 15 that they found no criminal wrongdoing in Min’s actions. This development directly challenges HYBE’s long-standing accusation that Min tried to illegally take control of ADOR, the subsidiary responsible for NewJeans. Despite this legal outcome, HYBE is not backing down. The company has already lodged a formal objection to the prosecution, arguing that the case deserves further review due to new developments, including a contract dispute involving NewJeans and what it claims to be fresh supporting evidence brought forward during ongoing legal proceedings.
HYBE initially filed its complaint against Min in April 2024, asserting that her actions as CEO violated her fiduciary duties. Min denied these charges from the beginning, stating that HYBE’s control over ADOR—as an 80% stakeholder—meant she couldn’t have carried out any power grab unilaterally. The feud intensified after Min accused BELIFT LAB’s rookie girl group ILLIT of copying NewJeans’ artistic direction. According to Min, her criticism led to a retaliatory internal audit by HYBE, which then sparked the broader legal and public battle between both sides. HYBE continues to argue that Min undermined the integrated label structure that formed the basis of her contract. The Seoul High Court, in a related injunction hearing, reportedly echoed that concern, suggesting Min’s actions could be interpreted as an intentional disruption of the organizational agreement between HYBE and ADOR. As a result, HYBE is pushing to have the non-indictment re-evaluated.
Meanwhile, the police have dismissed other legal claims surrounding the feud. These include Min’s accusations of defamation and false claims against BELIFT LAB’s team, a fan group’s complaint against the same label’s executives, and a separate case by Dolphiners Films CEO Shin Woo Seok targeting ADOR’s current management. In each of these instances, the authorities found insufficient grounds to pursue criminal charges. They concluded that statements made by HYBE or its affiliates were not defamatory or malicious, but instead tied to public interest or internal corporate procedures. HYBE maintains that its actions, including audits and communications, were carried out within legal frameworks and through appropriate channels, stating that even private messages cited in the various claims were obtained through legitimate internal reviews.
