HYBE has effectively signaled its refusal to reconcile with former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin by pursuing aggressive legal measures to block the enforcement of her 'put option'. According to legal sources on March 15, 2026, HYBE filed a request for the cancellation of 'compulsory execution' regarding stock payment claims with the Seoul High Court on March 10. While a stay of execution serves as a temporary pause, a request for cancellation is a more definitive legal move aimed at fundamentally excluding the execution process. This action underscores HYBE's determination to continue the litigation despite Min Hee Jin’s recent proposal to settle the dispute out of court.
The move follows a significant proposal made by Min Hee Jin during a press conference on February 25. After winning her first trial on February 12—where the Seoul Central District Court led by Judge Nam In Soo validated her 'put option' and ordered HYBE to pay approximately $19 million (25.5 billion KRW)—she offered to waive the entire approximately $19.1 million (25.6 billion KRW) claim. Her condition was a total cessation of all civil and criminal litigation against herself, NewJeans, and their partners, stating that adults should return to the “stage of creation” rather than the courtroom. However, HYBE's latest filing suggests that the company is prioritized on overturning the initial ruling rather than accepting the compromise.
To prevent the immediate collection of the 19 million USD (25.5 billion KRW) while the appeal is pending, HYBE has already deposited approximately 21.8 million USD (29.25 billion KRW) as a court guarantee. The transition from a simple stay of execution to a formal request for cancellation indicates that HYBE is looking for a terminal legal resolution that would permanently bar any enforcement based on the first trial's verdict. As HYBE maintains that the shareholder agreement was legitimately terminated, the prospects for the "harmony" envisioned by Min Hee Jin remain bleak, with both parties now locked in a high-stakes judicial confrontation heading into the second half of 2026.
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