HYBE Files Counter-Lawsuit Against Min Hee Jin Over Alleged False Claims
3 min read
In a dramatic turn of events, HYBE has launched a counter-lawsuit against ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, vehemently denying her claims and asserting that her accusations are false. This legal battle marks the latest chapter in a prolonged conflict between the two parties, centering around the popular K-pop group NewJeans and allegations of defamation and misconduct.
Min Hee Jin, who leads ADOR, filed a lawsuit against several HYBE executives, accusing them of defamation and other serious offenses. She claims that HYBE wrongfully accused her of stealing NewJeans members from Source Music and manipulating the trainee debut process. Min Hee Jin’s lawsuit also alleges that HYBE executives maliciously edited and disseminated her private KakaoTalk messages to fit their narrative and defame her.
Min Hee Jin’s Allegations
The controversy began when Dispatch reported on KakaoTalk messages between Min Hee Jin and a shaman, suggesting that she delayed Source Music’s “N team” trainee debut to launch NewJeans. Min Hee Jin has firmly denied these claims, asserting that the allegations are based on illegally obtained personal messages.
On July 24, ADOR released an official statement detailing Min Hee Jin’s lawsuit against HYBE’s top executives, including CEO Park Ji Won and Audit Committee Chairperson Lim Soo Hyun. The charges against them include defamation, obstruction of business, unauthorized access to electronic records, and violations of information and communications network laws. Min Hee Jin’s statement alleges that HYBE executives forcibly acquired ADOR’s work laptops under the guise of an audit and used the personal data obtained to malign her.
HYBE’s Response and Counter-Lawsuit
In response, HYBE has categorically denied all allegations and filed a counter-lawsuit against Min Hee Jin for false accusations. The entertainment company, home to global sensation BTS, contends that Min Hee Jin’s claims are baseless and that they did not forcibly acquire any assets from her. HYBE asserts that Min Hee Jin did not return company laptops upon her departure and did not comply with audit requests, unlike other executives who did so willingly.
HYBE further clarified in court proceedings that they never conducted a forensic examination on any laptop returned by Min Hee Jin. They disclosed that Min Hee Jin had used her HYBE email account to send work-related documents, including private conversations with a shaman, to external recipients. These emails remained stored on HYBE’s servers, which the company claims were accessed in accordance with her consent to process personal information upon joining the company.
Legal and Public Fallout
The ongoing legal tussle has captivated public attention, with both sides accusing each other of wrongdoing. Min Hee Jin’s lawsuit highlights her claims of unauthorized data extraction and defamation by HYBE, while HYBE’s counter-lawsuit aims to clear the company’s name from what they describe as false accusations.
HYBE’s official statement underscores their stance, alleging that Min Hee Jin and her associates have repeatedly filed lawsuits based on incorrect information, forcing the company to take legal action in response. The entertainment giant insists that all their actions were lawful and transparent, countering the narrative presented by Min Hee Jin.
As the legal battle intensifies, the fallout from this high-profile dispute continues to unfold. Both Min Hee Jin and HYBE remain steadfast in their positions, each seeking to prove their version of events in court. This legal conflict not only impacts the involved parties but also has significant implications for the broader K-pop industry and its fanbase.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
