As reported by multiple sources, former CEO of ADOR Min Hee-jin announced her immediate resignation from ADOR’s board and will thus no longer be involved at the company. This follows Min Hee-jin’s re-appointment as a board director.
Update 11:36am: As reported in Korea JoongAng Daily, ADOR responded to Min’s resignation with the following statement:
“ADOR is regretful about board member Min Hee-jin’s unilateral decision to quit the company. We will provide the best support so that NewJeans can grow and develop.”
(Source: Korea JoongAng Daily)
Min will continue her court battles against ADOR, which began after HYBE launched an audit against ADOR under Min’s leadership.
Min’s departure follows NewJeans announcement that they sent a certified letter warning ADOR they would consider terminating their contract if “corrective measures were not met.” NewJeans has continually stood by Min Hee-jin as she continued her battles in court and internally with HYBE and ADOR.
Min Hee-jin’s representatives released her full statement for the press, which can be read below:
Min Hee-jin’s Complete Statement Following her Resignation from ADOR:
Hello. This is Min Hee-jin.
I am resigning today from my position as an internal director of ADOR. I am also terminating the share- holders’ agreement with HYBE and will hold HYBE legally accountable for violating the shareholders’ agreement. Furthermore, I plan to take necessary legal actions one by one against the numerous illegal activities of HYBE and its associates.
Even in the midst of the hellish dispute with HYBE that has lasted for over 7 months, starting with HYBE’s illegal audit in April, I have done my utmost to adhere to the shareholders’ agreement and to restore ADOR to its pre-April state. However, as HYBE still refuses to acknowledge their wrongdoings and shows no signs of change, I have decided that further efforts would be a waste of time.
I had hoped that HYBE would admit their mistakes on their own, and I have worked tirelessly to protect NewJeans within the distorted HYBE. This is also why I sent internal whistleblowing emails twice last April.
However, HYBE, far from showing remorse, has committed the unprecedented folly of fabricating base- less falsehoods and even publicly displaying a shameful illegal audit. They have framed me, a minority shareholder and CEO, with the absurd notion of ”usurping management rights,” conducting a witch hunt and launching ignorant and irrational attacks that are hard to believe coming from a large corporation.
After many twists and turns, it has taken a full 7 months for it to become clear that my whistleblowing was based on obvious facts and was a legitimate complaint, while HYBE’s ugly lies and hypocrisy are being revealed one after another.
In fact, HYBE must have known from the beginning that the content of the whistleblowing was all true and a legitimate raising of issues. However, for those who care only about their own interests and glory, addressing the core issue of ”problem-solving” was likely a task they wanted to avoid more than anything else.
I didn’t expect them to repent, but it seems I was naive to believe they would have at least a minimum conscience as human beings. However, just as merely breathing doesn’t mean you’re truly alive, I didn’t want to conform to and settle in this twisted organization out of attachment to money.
HYBE has continued its hypocritical and contradictory behavior, using its subsidiary labels to file un- reasonable lawsuits, nitpick, and engage in unfair media play to try to bury me, while simultaneously presenting a producing work delegation contract full of toxic clauses as if they were doing me a huge favor.
While claiming to want to discuss R&R, which could be considered the essence of the work delegation contract, they repeatedly made incomprehensible demands such as insisting on face-to-face meetings only, citing confidentiality agreements that included unreasonable requirements like forensic consent prior to discussions, and claiming they couldn’t provide R&R documents.
It’s no longer surprising to see the lack of conscience of those who, despite unilaterally dismissing me, spread false information to the media that I had stepped down as CEO to take on producing duties, while demanding ”confidentiality” from others.
HYBE’s atrocities in 2024 will be recorded as an unprecedented case in K-pop history.
For the past 7 months, I have fought with all my mental, economic, and physical strength to reclaim ADOR, which was damaged due to HYBE’s serious violation of the shareholders’ agreement. This means that despite it being a hellish fight initiated by the baseless violence of a group masquerading as a large corporation, I have not backed down and have made every effort.
HYBE’s moral hazard has already reached its peak, and although their dirty media play will likely continue, I’m not worried as most people have now reached the point where they can read through the pattern.
Nevertheless, I want to make it clear that if there are forces and media outlets trying to maliciously defame me, I will not stand idly by and will punish them legally. While this unprecedented incident is not over yet, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Bunnies and many others who have tirelessly sent support and encouragement for nearly half a year.
Ironically, it’s also a special blessing that I’ve come to know the best people through fighting against the worst company. Some may not understand why I’ve endured this far, but there must be a reason and meaning for people like me to exist in this world. I hope you will show great interest in the new K-pop journey I will embark on in the future.
I conclude this message with a sense of relief, addressing these words to certain individuals.
“The actions driven by one person’s malice should never be allowed to damage the ’essence of the business.’ That was… cruel of you all.”
– Min Hee-jin
NewJeans
