Latest news with #MinHee-jin
News18
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
K-pop Group NJZ Takes Legal Action Against ADOR: 'We Can't Trust Them Anymore'
Last Updated: The legal conflict between K-pop group NJZ (formerly NewJeans) and agency ADOR escalates, with a third court hearing held on July 24. The ongoing legal conflict between K-pop girl group NJZ (formerly NewJeans) and their agency ADOR continues to escalate, with a third court hearing held on July 24 at the Seoul Central District Court. The session concluded with both parties agreeing to a closed-door mediation meeting scheduled for August 14. The dispute first emerged in November 2023, when the five-member group, represented by legal counsel, moved to terminate their exclusive contract with ADOR. The agency has since challenged this move, leading to a legal standoff that has brought intense scrutiny to both sides and to former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, whose role has become central to the narrative. NJZ's lawyers claim the roots of the dispute lie in an audit launched by ADOR's parent company HYBE in April 2024. According to them, the internal investigation unfairly targeted Min, accusing her of attempting to take control of the group – charges that, they argue, lacked credible evidence. 'This legal fight began because HYBE launched an audit against Min Hee Jin in April 2024. They claimed she was trying to seize management control and 'take' NewJeans, but there was no evidence in the audit or grounds for dismissal," the group's legal team stated. 'The main issue was an alleged breach of duty, and in the midst of it all, NewJeans suffered the most. Police later found no evidence of Min Hee Jin committing a breach of duty." The group's lawyers further alleged that the agency's leadership has shifted significantly, saying, 'Today's ADOR is not the same ADOR that led to our past success. It's now controlled by HYBE staff… We can't trust ADOR anymore, which is why we can't return to it in its current state." ADOR's legal representatives, however, pushed back strongly. They argued that NJZ's stance has shifted since the start of the dispute, describing their attempt to leave as 'an unreasonable attempt to invalidate the contracts after the fact." ADOR emphasized that over 21 billion won (approximately $15.3 million) had been invested into the group, including 7 billion on their debut album and 2 billion on music videos. The agency attributed NJZ's rapid rise to careful planning and strategic support, arguing that the group's decision to exit just two years after debut is unfair. ADOR also accused Min Hee-jin of orchestrating the group's departure, citing alleged private messages that outlined a plan to claim plagiarism against HYBE's newer girl group, Illit, and manipulate media coverage. ADOR further alleged that the contract termination letter was prepared by Min's legal team. In the face of allegations of mismanagement, ADOR maintained that it met its obligations and revealed that each member had earned more than 5 billion won individually. 'The agency is still preparing for the group's comeback," said their legal representative. 'Our staff are waiting for the day they return." First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
NewJeans, Ador remain locked in high-stakes legal battle over exclusive contract
The girl group continues to accuse agency of mismanagement, while Ador says contract termination is baseless and driven by former CEO Min Hee-jin The legal standoff between K-pop girl group NewJeans and its agency Ador continues to escalate, with both sides presenting conflicting arguments over the validity of the group's exclusive contract. The Seoul Central District Court on Thursday held the third hearing in Ador's lawsuit seeking to confirm the enforceability of its contract with the five-member group. The NewJeans members, who attempted to terminate their contracts unilaterally in November, were not present in court; only their legal representatives attended. NewJeans' attorneys attributed the dispute to a now-concluded internal audit of former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin, which was initiated by parent company Hybe in May 2024. They argued that the audit — and Hybe's subsequent attempt to remove Min — were based on unfounded suspicions. On July 18, police cleared Min of criminal breach of trust allegations filed by Hybe last year; Hybe plans to appeal. The group's legal team further claimed that Ador failed to meet fundamental management responsibilities, alleging that this breach justified the artists' attempt to sever ties. Ador rejected the accusations, asserting that the reasons for contract termination have shifted over time and appear to have been constructed by NewJeans and their legal team retroactively. 'This is an unreasonable attempt to invalidate the contracts after the fact,' said a lawyer for Ador. The agency emphasized its financial investment in NewJeans, citing over 21 billion won ($15.3 million) spent on the group's development and debut. This included 7 billion won for the group's debut album and 2 billion won for music videos. 'Thanks to this support, NewJeans achieved explosive success — something even the court has acknowledged,' Ador's legal representative said. 'Yet despite this, the group attempted to unilaterally cancel its contracts just two years after its debut. Such a move cannot be permitted.' Ador also claimed that Min was the driving force behind the group's attempted departure. According to the agency's attorney, private messages exchanged between Min and former Ador executives revealed that she had been planning to 'take' NewJeans as early as three years ago. The messages allegedly outlined strategies for terminating the exclusive contract, including orchestrating plagiarism accusations against another Hybe-affiliated girl group, Illit, and manipulating media narratives. The agency also alleged that the legal notice to terminate the contract was drafted by Min's legal representatives, further pointing to her involvement. Responding to accusations of mismanagement, Ador maintained it had upheld its responsibilities and noted that each member had already received over 5 billion won in earnings. 'The agency is still preparing for the group's comeback,' Ador said. 'Our staff are waiting for the day they return.'
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
K-Pop Legal Battle: NewJeans vs ILLIT - Accusations of Copying Ignite Fan Fury
The K-Pop Feud That Has Everyone Picking Sides Imagine if two of Bollywood's biggest production houses went to court because one accused the other of copying their movie style. That's exactly what's happening in the K-pop world right now, and it's absolutely wild. Two girl groups - NewJeans and ILLIT - are at the center of a massive legal battle that's got fans arguing on social media, agencies pointing fingers, and the entire Korean entertainment industry watching with popcorn in hand. The drama started when Min Hee-jin, the creative mastermind behind NewJeans, publicly accused the newer group ILLIT of straight-up copying her work. Now ILLIT's agency, BELIFT LAB, is suing Min Hee-jin for ₹180 crore (that's about 20 billion Korean won) because they claim she's spreading lies and damaging their reputation. The court case has turned into a full-blown PowerPoint presentation battle - yes, you read that right - with both sides bringing receipts and evidence to prove their point. BELIFT LAB Says_ "Everything is Fair Game in K-Pop" BELIFT LAB's defense is pretty simple: they're basically saying that Min Hee-jin is acting like she invented everything in K-pop. Their argument is that dance moves, photo styles, and marketing strategies belong to everyone in the industry, not just one person. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indian Investors Are Buying These Dubai Apartments—Here's Why Binghatti Developers FZE Explore Undo Think about it like this - if Shah Rukh Khan claimed he invented the romantic hero pose with arms spread wide, every other Bollywood actor would be in trouble, right? That's exactly what BELIFT LAB is saying about Min Hee-jin's claims. They brought examples showing that NewJeans' famous "hair whip" dance move appears in songs by other groups like ITZY and aespa. They even said that NewJeans' retro Y2K style and mysterious concept is totally different from ILLIT's magical princess theme - like comparing a vintage Bollywood film to a fantasy adventure movie. The agency also threw some serious shade by showing that many things NewJeans did "first" were actually done by older groups like GFRIEND years earlier. It's like saying every romantic comedy copies the same basic formula, but that doesn't make them all the same movie. New Jeans Min Hee-jin Fights Back_ "The Copying is Too Obvious" Min Hee-jin's team isn't backing down though. They're saying that ILLIT didn't just copy one or two things - they copied everything from NewJeans' entire vibe. We're talking about album covers, hairstyles, photoshoot concepts, dance moves, and even the way they promote themselves. Her lawyers pointed out that as soon as ILLIT debuted, fans on social media immediately started commenting "they look like NewJeans" and "this feels familiar." It's like when a new web series comes out and everyone immediately says it reminds them of another popular show - sometimes the similarities are just too obvious to ignore. They're also arguing that this isn't about legal copyright (like claiming someone stole your song), but about calling out what they see as blatant copying. It's more like saying "Hey, your new dance looks exactly like mine" rather than "You legally stole my choreography." The most interesting part? Min Hee-jin's team says she only spoke up because she was being attacked by the bigger company HYBE, and she had to defend herself and her work. It's giving major David vs. Goliath energy.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
From Bang Si‑hyuk to Yang Hyun‑suk: Major K‑pop agencies & scandals involving their leaders
K-pop isn't only about the idols fans like; it's also about the powerful agencies that shape careers and create worldwide stars. While superstars get all the attention, the actual drama typically takes place behind the scenes. From internal tensions to major criminal charges, some agency chiefs have found themselves at the heart of controversy, with effects that can be felt by the artists themselves. Here's an overview of the top K-pop companies and the scandals that have engulfed its CEOs. HYBE (Home to BTS, SEVENTEEN, LE SSERAFIM) Bang Si-hyuk, founder and chairman, of the global conglomerate is currently under criminal investigation by South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service. He has been accused of fraudulent securities trading involving secret shareholder agreements worth approximately ₩400 billion (~$290 million) just before HYBE's 2020 IPO. The Financial Services Commission formally referred him to prosecutors. The company has also faced internal turmoil, most notably a public and legal conflict with Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of ADOR (a HYBE subsidiary), over creative control and alleged mistreatment of NewJeans members. This ongoing feud has further tarnished the company's leadership image. YG Entertainment (Home to BLACKPINK, BABYMONSTER) Yang Hyun-suk, YG's founder and previous CEO, resigned in 2019 after various controversies involving drug-related claims against his musicians. His most significant legal struggle ended in 2023, when he was convicted of coercing a trainee to recant their testimony in a drug case. In 2025, South Korea's Supreme Court upheld the 6-month suspended prison term, dealing a last legal and reputational blow to the agency's legacy. SM Entertainment (Home to EXO, aespa, NCT) Lee Soo-man, SM's founder and former executive producer, has been embroiled in numerous financial and ethical scandals over the years. He formally left as chief producer in 2023, but has since founded A2O Entertainment, which focuses on global talent development. Nonetheless, his scandals continue to haunt him. He was convicted of embezzlement and stock manipulation in the early 2000s, but was later pardoned by the president. He was also accused of funneling billions of won to his private company, Like Planning, which raised severe conflicts of interest problems. Lee was identified in the Pandora Papers for allegedly diverting international revenues through offshore shell businesses such as CT Planning Ltd. In 2023, he became the focal point of a power struggle between Kakao and SM's management during the company's restructuring and ownership dispute. JYP Entertainment (Home to TWICE, Stray Kids, ITZY) Park Jin-young (JYP), the company's founder and creative director, has mainly avoided legal controversies, but he has experienced controversy. In 2011, he faced a plagiarism case for the song "Someday," which was first declared in favor of the plaintiff. The Supreme Court overturned the verdict in 2015, citing a lack of significant musical similarities. He also faced allegations of involvement with the Salvation Sect in the Sewol ferry disaster, which he openly refuted. Not only that, but he was criticized by artists such as Sunmi (former Wonder Girls) for wielding excessive creative control and restricting artistic expression. Rumours circulated in 2014 that he attempted to sell JYP Entertainment to YG, however both firms refuted this. Attrakt (Agency of FIFTY FIFTY) CEO Jeon Hong-joon made news in 2023 when girl group FIFTY FIFTY sought an injunction to suspend their exclusive contracts, charging financial mismanagement and medical malpractice. The court finally found in favor of Attrakt, prompting Jeon to cancel the members' contracts and file criminal and civil cases against the idols and their production business for alleged fraud and poaching. Member Keena eventually dropped her complaint and reconnected with the agency. Since then, Attrakt has reorganized FIFTY FIFTY with new members and is gearing up for a comeback, including a U.S. tour. Konnect Entertainment (Founded by Kang Daniel) The agency, previously seen as a model for self-managed idols, was forced to close in 2024 when its key shareholder was accused of fabricating paperwork and unlawfully signing ₩10 billion contracts under Kang Daniel's name. The stockholder is still under investigation. TS Entertainment & Media Line (Known for groups like B.A.P) TS Entertainment, which managed groups such as B.A.P. and SECRET, was sued many times for unfair contracts and artist mistreatment before quietly ceasing operations. The CEO of Media Line Entertainment was convicted of child abuse in 2019 for physically and emotionally torturing members of the boy band The East Light. He was sentenced to six years in prison, underscoring the harsh treatment that some trainees experience in the profession. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
ILLIT drags BTS, Jennie, and aespa to refute Min Hee Jin's accusations of copying NewJeans
On July 15, former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin walked free after the court tossed out HYBE's breach of trust accusation, citing 'no criminal evidence.' After a year-long investigation, Seoul's Yongsan Police announced a non-prosecution decision, to which the Bang Si Hyuk-led company fired back with an objection. With NewJeans still caught in the ADOR vs HYBE crossfire, Min's next move was to call out ILLIT. She accused the rookie group of stealing NewJeans' hanbok concept, not just borrowing it, but lifting the look, the mood, and even the moves. BELIFT LAB, ILLIT's agency, has since responded. Also read: NewJeans makes final call on HYBE settlement after reading fans' letters: ADOR issues statement ILLIT, managed by BELIFT LAB (also under HYBE), is a 5th-gen girl group with Yunah, Minju, Moka, Wonhee, and Iroha. The band was formed through the survival show R U Next? and officially debuted earlier this year. During the third court hearing, Min Hee Jin, the former creative force behind NewJeans, told the judge, 'From the styling to the lighting, props, set design, gaze direction of the members, and even the way the photos were framed, ILLIT's hanbok photoshoot looks just like NewJeans'' (via KBIZoom). She also pointed out how the group copied debut strategy, citing NewJeans' first appearance at a Chanel event, and how ILLIT rolled out at a high-profile fashion show soon after. Her legal team claimed even the makeup, hair, and outfits felt lifted, pointing to fans' reactions online, with comments like 'Isn't this NewJeans?' and 'I thought I was looking at a NewJeans update.' Min even flagged choreography, saying ILLIT borrowed sequences from NewJeans' tracks like Attention and Ditto. Also read: Explained: Controversy and drama at Hybe, the K-pop company behind BTS BELIFT Lab fought back the accusations, telling the court that ILLIT's concept is nothing like NewJeans'. They argued that NewJeans leans into a retro Y2K aesthetic with no fixed storyline, while ILLIT follows a 'fantasy princess meets magical girl' theme with its own narrative and world-building. They also pointed out that ILLIT debuted through the reality show R U Next?, where fans saw the journey from day one. In contrast, NewJeans went for a surprise drop, no teasers, no names, just a music video out of the blue, which they called a completely different market strategy. On the hanbok controversy, the agency pushed back hard, saying plenty of K-pop idols have done hanbok shoots in palace backdrops and Min didn't invent the look. 'This claim is baseless and ignores the genre's visual traditions,' they said. As for the choreography, BELIFT Lab argued that moves like hair whips, arm rolls, and sitting poses are standard across K-pop. They cited acts like BTS, Jennie, aespa, G-Dragon, IVE, and ITZY. Letting one group claim ownership over these moves, they warned, would kill creativity and crush fair competition in the industry. While the two seemingly innocent bands are being dragged into the mess, what's really baffling fans is that they've got nothing to do with it. Meanwhile, HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk is now under the scanner, with Korea's financial watchdogs investigating him for allegedly raking in illegal profits during HYBE's 2020 IPO. He skipped out on speaking at a recent hearing, and now it's all going to the prosecutors.
