Former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin broke down in tears in court as she described the emotional turmoil she experienced during her conflict with HYBE and her eventual dismissal.
On November 27, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 31 (Presiding Judge Nam In Soo) held the third hearing for the lawsuit concerning the validity of the shareholder agreement termination between Min and HYBE, as well as the put option payment lawsuit filed by Min. The court continued its direct questioning of Min following the earlier session in September.
Min appeared in person and became visibly emotional during her testimony. She said, “I was in severe psychological distress and had no choice but to leave. It is infuriating and agonizing that people would bring up money in a situation like this,” and she cried as she spoke.
She added, “I was confident that I could make NewJeans a global group. I did nothing wrong, so I cannot understand why others have to be harmed because of this.”
Min firmly denied allegations that she instructed NewJeans member Hanni to attend the National Assembly audit. She said, “The NewJeans girls are very smart. They are not children who act only when someone tells them to. It is insulting.” She continued, “I never pressured her. I only felt sorry that Hanni went alone, and I simply wished I could have gone with her.”
Regarding the tampering allegations, Min said, “I do not know if I am expected to respond to every article published by media outlets that are closely aligned with HYBE.” She continued, “Just because I did not respond does not mean I have nothing to say. This is all unfair.”
Min also addressed accusations that ILLIT copied NewJeans. She said, “The parents of the NewJeans members were the first to complain. They contacted me and asked why their child was not included.” She continued, “Seeing something copied within the same company felt extremely disrespectful. I even emailed Bang Si Hyuk asking if he had brought me into the company for the purpose of copying my work.”
Min then described in detail for the first time how Bang Si Hyuk recruited her. She explained, “I resigned from SM Entertainment on December 31, 2018. Two days later, on January 2, 2019, Bang contacted me directly.” She added, “He told me that he learned about my resignation through an insider at SM. He repeatedly said that he wanted to create a girl group properly again and that he needed me.”
She also revealed that Bang asked to speak directly with her parents. According to Min, he told them, “I want to help your daughter succeed. I sincerely hope she will join our company.” This explanation clarified why she chose to join the company that was then known as BIGHIT MUSIC.
Min further criticized the process that led to her removal as ADOR CEO last year. She said, “I managed everything transparently, yet I was never told why I was being removed. There was no reason for my dismissal,” and she emphasized that she felt deeply wronged.
She continued, “I reached my limit. I was under extreme mental strain and therefore stepped down from the board and exercised my put option.”
The put option Min exercised amounts to approximately 26 billion KRW (about 17.8 million USD). Min’s side argues that HYBE’s notice of contract termination is invalid and that the put option executed before that notice should remain valid. HYBE argues that the shareholder agreement ended in July and that the put option holds no legal effect.
In the related lawsuit involving the NewJeans exclusive contract, the court acknowledged the admissibility of some KakaoTalk records. Observers expect that decision to influence the put option case as well.
The court will hold the final hearing on December 18 and is expected to deliver the first instance ruling early next year.
SEE ALSO: HYBE Chairman Bang Si Hyuk questioned five times by police over alleged stock manipulation scheme
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