NewJeans: The Ongoing Controversy and Uncertain Future
The K-pop group NewJeans, known for their chart-topping hits like "Super Shy" and "OMG," has been embroiled in a complex and highly publicized controversy involving their label, ADOR, and its parent company, HYBE. Here is a detailed look at the unfolding drama.
Background and Initial Conflict
The dispute began on April 22 when HYBE initiated an audit of ADOR, accusing CEO Min Hee-jin of planning a hostile takeover to gain independent management rights over NewJeans.
Min Hee-jin, a veteran creative director who previously worked at SM Entertainment for 17 years, had been at the helm of ADOR since its establishment in 2021. She secured an 18% stake in ADOR in March 2023, which included a 15% put option to sell her shares for 13 times the operating profit.
Allegations and Denials
HYBE alleged that Min had instructed her staff to devise strategies to pressure HYBE into selling its shares in ADOR and was preparing for a "battle of public opinion" in May. Min vehemently denied these allegations during a press conference on April 25, claiming that HYBE's actions were a response to her complaints about the delayed debut of NewJeans and the prioritization of Le Sserafim, another HYBE girl group.
Min also addressed allegations involving a shaman, with HYBE claiming they had transcripts of her discussing major business decisions with the shaman. Min clarified that the shaman was merely a friend and stated she never accused BTS of copying her work.
Legal Battles and Public Fallout
The conflict escalated with HYBE filing a complaint with the police for breach of trust against Min, and Min holding multiple press conferences to refute the allegations. HYBE's audit reportedly found evidence of Min's plans to seize control, which she consistently denied.
The situation drew in other K-pop groups and fans, with Min making statements that implied HYBE had slighted NewJeans and ADOR. This included accusations that HYBE's newly debuted girl group, ILLIT, bore too many resemblances to NewJeans, and that Bang Si-hyuk, HYBE's CEO, had copied her ideas for BTS. These claims were met with strong denials from HYBE and sparked outrage from the BTS fandom, known as the Army.
NewJeans' Public Plea
In a recent development, NewJeans members took to YouTube for a secret livestream, expressing their support for Min Hee-jin and calling for her reinstatement as CEO of ADOR by September 25. The members emphasized that Min was integral to their group's identity and creative vision, and they felt lost without her leadership.
During the livestream, the members also accused HYBE of creating a toxic work environment and failing to protect them from invasive social media scrutiny. They refused to follow HYBE's orders "blindly" and expressed their disapproval of how Min was treated.
Current Status and Future Uncertainty
HYBE has since replaced Min Hee-jin with Kim Ju-young, its former chief human resource officer, as the new CEO of ADOR. Min remains as an inside director and producer for NewJeans but has rejected a proposed contract that would have her continue producing for the group under what she deemed unreasonable terms.
The legal battles continue, with Min involved in lawsuits with Source Music and Belift, other HYBE subsidiaries, over allegations of defamation and obstruction of business. HYBE has refuted Min's claims that they offered her money to leave, calling her statements "outrageous false claims".
As the situation remains unresolved, NewJeans' future plans, including a world tour and album release, are on hold. The group's ultimatum for Min's reinstatement has been met with no positive response from HYBE, leaving the fans and the group itself in a state of uncertainty.
In summary, the controversy surrounding NewJeans, Min Hee-jin, and HYBE is a complex web of allegations, denials, and legal battles that have cast a shadow over the group's promising career. As the drama unfolds, fans and observers can only wait to see how this situation will be resolved and what the future holds for NewJeans.