Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin Faces ₩500 Million Legal Battle with Source Music

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The stage is set for a high-stakes legal battle that has captured the attention of the K-pop industry.

Seoul Western District Court’s Civil Division 12 (A) has scheduled the first hearing for a ₩500 million damages lawsuit filed by Source Music against former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin on January 10, marking the initial phase of this publicized legal confrontation between key industry figures.

Source Music filed the lawsuit in July, accusing Min of defamation and damages stemming from her public remarks regarding NewJeans’ debut and management issues.

Min had previously raised concerns about Source Music’s handling of NewJeans members and the prioritization of LE SSERAFIM’s debut during a controversial press conference.

Source Music has strongly denied these allegations.

In an official statement, the company refuted claims that they replicated Min’s launch strategies.

"The assertion that Source Music copied Min Hee-jin’s strategies is entirely baseless.

We have never acknowledged her claims, nor did we use her ideas," the company stated.

Source Music elaborated, stating,
"In May 2020, Bang Si-hyuk directed Min, then the CBO, to explore her proposed concepts for a 'new team' at a newly established label, not the N-Team."

They accused Min of intentionally distorting facts by implying that Bang instructed her to execute her strategies through N-Team.

The company further alleged, "Min has been spreading false information about Source Music, and we are preparing additional legal measures beyond the damages suit to address these baseless accusations.

If necessary, we are prepared to disclose relevant evidence to establish the truth."

In response, Min’s legal representatives issued a firm rebuttal, calling Source Music’s claims "fallacious and misleading" and announcing plans for a robust legal counteraction.

Adding to the intrigue, Min is simultaneously embroiled in a ₩2 billion lawsuit with Belift Lab over plagiarism accusations involving the creative branding of ILLIT.

This case will also begin on January 10 at the Seoul Western District Court.

Belift Lab, which filed the lawsuit in June, dismissed claims that ILLIT plagiarized NewJeans’ concepts.

"ILLIT’s branding and concepts were finalized on July 21, 2023, and the so-called 'proposal' from Min’s team was shared with us over a month later on August 28, rendering any influence impossible," Belift Lab stated.

Min’s representatives countered sharply, citing testimony from HYBE employees and evident similarities between the two projects.

"HYBE and Belift Lab have deliberately misled public opinion while ignoring the harm caused to NewJeans.

They must take responsibility for using rookie artists as shields in this matter," Min’s team argued.

The dispute has grown increasingly heated, with Min alleging that the creative director of ILLIT obtained and replicated NewJeans’ concepts during the group’s planning stage.

This was supported by internal whistleblower testimony shared during a previous injunction hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, where Min’s team claimed, "The concepts are identical, and the copying is blatant."

Amid the escalating legal battles, Min recently announced her resignation from ADOR’s board, citing breaches of shareholder agreements by HYBE.

"I will pursue legal accountability for HYBE’s numerous violations and take the necessary actions to address their unlawful conduct," Min declared.

ADOR issued a brief statement expressing regret over Min’s abrupt resignation.

"We are saddened by Min Hee-jin’s unilateral decision to step down.

Nevertheless, we will continue to fully support NewJeans’ growth and development," the company said.