Former ADOR CEO and NewJeans creative director Min Heejin has won a lawsuit against entertainment company HYBE. On Thursday, February 12, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that HYBE should not have unilaterally terminated its shareholder contract with Min, as she “did not seem to intend to bring harm or damages to ADOR,” an agency under the company.
HYBE had filed the suit in 2025, asserting that Min had tried to take control of the company, which would justify the termination of her contract. With the case dismissed, the company must now pay Min her litigation costs, in addition to ₩25.5 billion, or approximately P1.028 billion, for her put option as a shareholder.
HYBE had also accused Min, who recently announced her new agency OOAK, of trying to separate ADOR from the company to make it an independent label and “take NewJeans.” However, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that “There is insufficient evidence to conclusively prove that she attempted to defect with the members.”
After the company lodged the accusations against Min, the former exec retaliated by claiming that ILLIT, a girl group under HYBE subsidiary BELIFT LAB, had plagiarized NewJeans’ creative direction. In July 2025, BELIFT LAB sued her for defamation, but Koreaboo reports that the court also ruled in Min’s favor regarding the matter, saying, “BELIFT LAB failed to provide further evidence to support the claim that the two groups are not similar, and it’s difficult to say that the controversy has completely subsided.”
Meanwhile, NewJeans remains under contract with ADOR despite efforts to drop the label after Min’s exit. Only ex-member Danielle Marsh has been kicked out of the girl group.
Even with Min’s recent win in court, NewJeans’ conflicts with HYBE and ADOR aren’t exactly resolved. In December 2025, ADOR filed a damages suit for ₩43 billion against Min, Marsh, and a Marsh family member, whose identity remains unknown, for reputational harm and delays to NewJeans’ activities. While members Haerin, Hanni, and Hyein remain in the group, the agency’s discussions with member Minji are ongoing, according to the Korea Herald.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Seoul Central District Court ruled HYBE should not have unilaterally terminated its shareholder contract with Min Heejin, finding she “did not seem to intend to bring harm or damages to ADOR.” HYBE must now pay her litigation costs plus roughly ₩25.5 billion for her put option.
HYBE accused Min Heejin of trying to take control of ADOR and attempting to separate the agency from HYBE to make it independent and “take NewJeans” with her. The court found insufficient evidence she attempted to defect with the members.
After HYBE’s accusations, Min Heejin claimed ILLIT, a HYBE-subsidiary BELIFT LAB girl group, plagiarized NewJeans’ creative direction. BELIFT LAB sued her for defamation in July 2025, but the court also ruled in Min’s favor, citing insufficient evidence to disprove her claim.
Yes. In December 2025, ADOR filed a ₩43 billion damages suit against Min Heejin, ex-member Danielle Marsh, and an unnamed Marsh family member over reputational harm and delays to NewJeans’ activities.
NewJeans remains under contract with ADOR despite efforts to leave the label after Min Heejin’s exit. Only former member Danielle Marsh has been removed from the group, while discussions with member Minji are ongoing.
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