Min Hee-jin vs HYBE: Inside the Explosive Legal Battle Involving BTS’s Agency

The dispute between Min Hee-jin, former CEO of ADOR (NewJeans’ management agency), and HYBE, the parent company, has escalated with new allegations, public comments and court decisions. What started as a corporate struggle has turned into one of K-pop's most publicized legal and ethical scandals. 

Who Is Min Hee-jin

Min Hee-jin is also an acclaimed creative director and producer within the K-pop scene, She created NewJeans under HYBE's label ADOR. Previously, she rose to fame for her creative direction in music videos, styling, and artist branding for leading idols.

How It All Began: Early Conflict

HYBE launched an audit of ADOR following reports that Min was seeking greater autonomy for the label, In early 2024. HYBE accused her of attempting to take control of ADOR and potentially spin it off from the control of the company. She was accused of seeking to nominate her own board members and circumvent normal shareholder procedures.

Major Accusations Against Min Hee-jin

• Takeover and Autonomy
• HYBE accused Min of attempting to grab management control of ADOR, diluting HYBE's stake.
• Concept Copying Controversy

Min accused other HYBE groups of copying NewJeans' concept. She even claimed BTS's creation had borrowed from her concepts, leading to a huge controversy.

Shaman Consultation & Military Service Gossip

HYBE dropped transcripts indicating Min had consulted a shaman regarding topics such as BTS members' military service. Min protested wrongdoing and termed the allegations misrepresented.

Chart Manipulation & Public Opinion Manipulation

She was recently accused by HYBE of chart performance manipulation of NewJeans and public opinion manipulation against competing groups such as ILLIT and LE SSERAFIM. Project documents referred to as "Project 1945" were presented as evidence.

Min Hee-jin's Reaction

• She has refused all allegations of wrongdoings, particularly concept stealing and chart manipulation.
• She maintained that conflicts with HYBE were concerning freedom of creativity, not corporate disloyalty.
• Min also alleged she has been unduly targeted, citing abuse of non-compete provisions in her contract.

Court Rulings & Current Status

• In May 2024, Min won an injunction stopping HYBE from voting to remove her as ADOR CEO.
• In July 2025, she was acquitted of breach-of-trust allegations following a police probe when no criminal wrongdoing was found.

Still, HYBE promised to pursue continued litigation and new charges.

During a hearing in court in September 2025, HYBE filed new allegations of public sentiment manipulation and chart manipulation with supporting internal project documents. Min, on her part, argued that HYBE discriminated in favor of ILLIT against NewJeans and unduly omitted her group.

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