NewJeans: 'Bring Back CEO Min Hee-jin' – A Call for the Original ADOR Amidst Conflict with HYBE

Recently, the girl group NewJeans has publicly voiced their concerns amidst growing tensions with HYBE. 

Recently, the girl group NewJeans has publicly voiced their concerns amidst growing tensions with HYBE. The members have strongly demanded the return of Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of ADOR, and expressed their desire for the company to return to its original state. This conflict marks a new chapter in NewJeans' relationship with HYBE, drawing significant attention from the industry as it awaits the next developments.

On September 11, NewJeans took to YouTube Live to publicly demand the reinstatement of Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of ADOR. The group expressed their dissatisfaction with the current state of the company, saying, "What we want is the original ADOR where CEO Min Hee-jin managed both the business and the production aspects." Their statements have resonated deeply with fans and the industry alike, raising concerns about the direction of ADOR under its new management. The members also pleaded, "Stop harassing CEO Min Hee-jin," and further added, "If you truly care about NewJeans, let us do the activities we want."

The conflict stems from the dismissal of Min Hee-jin as CEO, which was decided by ADOR's newly restructured board of directors, composed of HYBE-affiliated members. The board, following tensions between HYBE and Min since April, decided to remove her from the CEO role. Although they offered her the opportunity to continue as an inside director and to remain involved in NewJeans' production, Min declined, deeming it unfair.

NewJeans has issued an ultimatum, calling for ADOR to be restored to its original state by September 25. If this demand is not met, the group hinted at more drastic measures. Some speculate that the members are prepared to terminate their contracts, raising concerns that this conflict could escalate into a legal battle over contract termination.

The dispute between NewJeans and HYBE goes beyond a typical entertainment industry conflict, shedding light on broader issues of artist rights and agency management practices. The future of Min Hee-jin’s return and NewJeans' next steps remain uncertain, but this situation is shaping up to be a critical turning point in the K-pop industry. As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on whether NewJeans' demands will be met or if the situation will spiral into a deeper conflict.