K-Pop Industry Shaken as NewJeans Producer Min Hee-jin Resigns Amid Legal Clash with HYBE

Min Hee-jin, the renowned producer credited with the success of K-pop sensation NewJeans, has resigned from her position at ADOR, a subsidiary of BTS's label, HYBE. The departure follows a lengthy legal and public relations battle with HYBE, highlighting tensions within the South Korean entertainment powerhouse.

Background of the Dispute

• HYBE’s Allegations: In April, HYBE launched an audit of ADOR, accusing Min of breach of trust and seeking her removal.
• Min’s Counterclaims: She accused HYBE of replicating her production model for a rival girl group and labeled the audit as a "witch hunt."
• Public and Legal Drama: The dispute spilled into South Korean courts and media, drawing significant attention to the inner workings of K-pop label management.

Min Hee-jin’s Response

In her resignation statement, Min described the ordeal as "hellish" and vowed to take legal action against HYBE and the individuals involved. She also expressed her determination to embark on a "new K-pop journey."

Support from NewJeans

The members of NewJeans have publicly backed Min:

• In a September livestream, they called for her reinstatement as ADOR’s CEO.
• Last week, the group sent a formal legal notice to HYBE demanding her return and warning of potential contract termination if their demands were unmet.

NewJeans’ Achievements

• Debuted in 2022 under ADOR and quickly became one of HYBE's flagship acts alongside BTS.
• Achieved global success, including topping the Billboard 200 and breaking the Guinness World Record for "Fastest K-pop act to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify."

HYBE and ADOR’s Response

• ADOR expressed regret over Min’s resignation, stating their commitment to supporting NewJeans’ growth.
• HYBE has not publicly addressed the allegations in detail.

Industry Implications

Min Hee-jin’s departure raises questions about leadership conflicts within major K-pop labels and their impact on artist management. As she plans her next steps, her influence in the industry suggests she may create another groundbreaking project. Meanwhile, NewJeans' future under ADOR remains under scrutiny amid the ongoing fallout.