Min Heejin’s attempt to return as CEO of ADOR has officially been dismissed by the court despite her injunction request. After the ruling, HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang emphasized the “normalization of ADOR“ in a message sent to internal staff.
On October 29th, following the court’s decision, HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang addressed employees in a message, stating, “As you may have seen in the news, today there was a court ruling regarding the recent series of events. This marks a turning point in the confusion that has persisted for the past seven months, and the direction for resolving various issues has become clearer.”
He continued, “I am well aware that our employees have been enduring this long period with feelings of shame and devastation. Through this incident, I have once again realized that our employees, who have been quietly doing their best in their respective positions, are the pillars supporting our company. I sincerely apologize and express my deepest gratitude to all of you.”
Furthermore, he added, “The company intends to move quickly towards bringing ADOR back to normal. We expect meaningful progress in the most crucial matter – the renewal of NewJeans’ producer contract – within a short time. Although there will be many challenges in this process, as we have stated multiple times, our commitment to supporting NewJeans in becoming an even more globally recognized artist remains unchanged.” This statement clearly demonstrates HYBE’s unwavering dedication to supporting NewJeans.
Meanwhile, on October 29th, the Seoul Central District Court dismissed the injunction application filed by former CEO Min Hee-jin against HYBE regarding her appointment as ADOR’s CEO. A dismissal means the court rejected the lawsuit without the need for judgment. In other words, the court ruled in HYBE’s favor.
Previously, NewJeans’ agency ADOR dismissed former CEO Min Hee-jin through a board meeting on August 27th. The main reason for the dismissal was that separating production and management aligned with ADOR’s interests and the principles of the multi-label system. Min Hee-jin, refusing to accept this, filed an injunction against HYBE demanding her reappointment as ADOR’s CEO. She requested the guarantee of her term as CEO as stipulated in the shareholders’ agreement with HYBE. HYBE countered that the shareholders’ agreement had already been terminated due to Min Hee-jin’s liability, making her reappointment as CEO impossible.
During the injunction hearing held on October 11th, Min Hee-jin’s side claimed that ▲HYBE engaged in “reverse viral marketing” that disparaged Min Hee-jin and NewJeans and minimized their achievements, and discriminatory treatment existed ▲Other labels under HYBE raised plagiarism allegations against NewJeans. They also argued that there were no grounds for terminating the shareholders’ agreement, and even if trust between the contracting parties had completely broken down, HYBE was responsible. Min Hee-jin’s representatives emphasized that failure to reappoint her as ADOR’s CEO would hinder NewJeans’ entertainment activities.
In response, HYBE countered that Min Hee-jin had carefully planned and actually attempted to take NewJeans and ADOR away. HYBE claimed they first discovered Min Hee-jin’s betrayal between February and March this year, and in April, with the consent of former ADOR Vice President Lee Sang-woo, they secured evidence from computers revealing the full extent of the plan. HYBE also stated that Min Hee-jin’s side violated confidentiality obligations by providing the original shareholders’ agreement to journalists. They completely denied allegations of NewJeans’ plagiarism and reverse viral marketing.
HYBE’s side stated, “Min Hee-jin likely thought that if NewJeans sided with her, HYBE would rather sell ADOR to Min Hee-jin’s side as demanded than keep an ADOR without NewJeans’ normal activities,” adding that, “In this respect, Min Hee-jin’s plan was not a product of reckless imagination but a carefully calculated approach.”
The “procure” clause, which directs shareholders to instruct directors to exercise voting rights and perform certain actions, was also a key issue in this injunction request. While Min Hee-jin argued that HYBE should order ADOR directors to appoint her as CEO in its capacity as major shareholder, HYBE countered that this was legally impossible based on numerous precedents and theories. HYBE even cited a paper written by a lawyer from Sejong Legal, which represents Min Hee-jin, to refute her claims.
As a result, the court’s dismissal of the case and HYBE’s victory in this injunction make Min Hee-jin’s return as ADOR’s CEO virtually impossible.
Source: Daum
