Tensions are high between entertainment giant HYBE and its subsidiary label ADOR, known for managing the breakout girl group NewJeans.
HYBE has confirmed to MBW that it is auditing ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin and other high-ranking officials, and also called for a shareholder meeting on Monday (April 22).
“Confirming that HYBE invoked its right to audit CEO Min Hee-jin and top executives of the company’s affiliate label ADOR, as well as called them to summon a shareholder meeting on April 22,” a HYBE spokesperson told MBW.
The reasons for the audit haven’t been officially disclosed by HYBE, but local media outlets report serious allegations. HYBE reportedly suspects Min of attempting to take control of ADOR by selling shares and potentially leaking confidential information.
“Confirming that HYBE invoked its right to audit CEO Min Hee-Jin and top executives of the company’s affiliate label ADOR, as well as called them to summon a shareholder meeting on April 22.”
HYBE spokesperson
HYBE, which owns 80% of ADOR, reportedly launched an audit targeting Min and other ADOR executives. Korea Times reported that the audit includes searches of computers within ADOR’s offices in Seoul. HYBE is reportedly expected to pursue legal action against Min.
Min, who reportedly owns 18% of ADOR, is a former creative director at HYBE’s rival SM Entertainment. She joined HYBE in 2019 and launched ADOR in 2021. Under her leadership, ADOR debuted NewJeans, a group that skyrocketed to fame with hits like Attention, Hype Boy and OMG.
Hype Boy even achieved a record-breaking run on the Billboard Global 200 chart. The band also secured commercial deals with brands including Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Levi’s, and Shinhan Bank.
However, the relationship between HYBE and ADOR appears to have deteriorated since the launch of HYBE-owned Belift Lab‘s new girl group ILLIT in March, Korea JoongAng Daily reported. Industry insiders claim Min considers ILLIT a blatant “NewJeans copycat,” and cited it as the reason behind her clash with HYBE.
Min criticized HYBE’s disregard for the similarities between NewJeans and ILLIT, saying in a statement obtained by JoongAng Daily that “the cultural success of ADOR’s NewJeans is ironically being undermined by HYBE.”
“After ILLIT’s teaser image was released, there was an explosive response online, with many commenting that they initially thought [the group] was NewJeans. ILLIT has been copying NewJeans in all areas of activities including hair, makeup, costumes, choreography, photos, videos and event appearances,” Min reportedly said.
“ILLIT is being evaluated as a derivative of NewJeans, with terms like ‘Min Hee-jin style,’ ‘Min Hee-jin type’ and ‘NewJeans counterpart,’” Min said in her statement cited by JoongAng.
The ADOR CEO also revealed that ADOR has already filed a complaint about “HYBE’s attitude toward NewJeans, as well as ILLIT’s copycat issue.”
“HYBE and Belift Lab refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing, merely coming up with a string of excuses and delaying concrete responses.”
Min Hee-jin, ADOR
“However, HYBE and Belift Lab refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing, merely coming up with a string of excuses and delaying concrete responses.”
Adding another layer of complexity, HYBE reportedly issued a notice suspending Min “for dismissal” due to concerns her actions “might significantly damage ADOR’s corporate value.”
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