“Former ADOR CEO’s Representative Calls for Min Hee-jin’s Reinstatement After HYBE’s New Offer”

On September 25, 2024, the board of directors of HYBE and ADOR addressed the ongoing demands regarding the reinstatement of Min Hee-jin as ADOR’s CEO, ultimately denying the request. However, they did extend an offer for Min Hee-jin to produce NewJeans for the remainder of their contract, a proposal similar to one made on August 27, when she was removed from her CEO position at ADOR.

According to Newsis, a temporary shareholders’ meeting convened on September 25, 2024, to discuss the possibility of re-electing Min Hee-jin as an inside director. Following the meeting, representatives from Min Hee-jin released a statement accusing HYBE, the parent company of ADOR, of engaging in media play and reiterated their demand for her reinstatement. They stated:

“Min Hee-jin is concerned that continuing her role under a flawed contract may jeopardize the normal activities of NewJeans. Therefore, she has clearly expressed her wish to return as CEO and has requested specific contractual terms that would demonstrate HYBE’s commitment. We firmly demand the reinstatement of Min Hee-jin as CEO to ensure the best performance of the artists.”

They further clarified that while the parent company extended the contract’s duration, it failed to eliminate potentially harmful clauses, including the right to terminate it unilaterally. Min Hee-jin’s legal team expressed concern that without her reinstatement as ADOR’s CEO, she would be unable to ensure NewJeans’ regular activities.

HYBE and ADOR’s Board Deny Min Hee-jin’s Reappointment as CEO, But Extend Production Contract for NewJeans

On August 27, 2024, HYBE appointed Kim Joo-young as the new CEO of ADOR, who previously served as the Chief Human Resources Officer at HYBE. This decision followed a prolonged dispute involving Min Hee-jin, who faced allegations of breach of trust and leaking company secrets.

As a result of these events, Min Hee-jin lost her managerial rights after a shareholders’ meeting on May 30, 2024. While the parent company did not have the votes to remove her from the CEO position at that time, they replaced the ADOR board of directors to maintain the label’s effective operation.

After months of working together, ADOR’s independent board of directors ultimately dismissed Min Hee-jin as CEO, installing Kim Joo-young in her place on August 27. Subsequently, during the emergency shareholders’ meeting on September 25, 2024, ADOR again rejected her demands for reinstatement.

“The ADOR board of directors has determined that the request for reappointment as CEO is currently unacceptable. Basic guarantees regarding her status, tenure, and authority as the producer in charge of New Jeans have been established, and we anticipate negotiations regarding specific conditions in the future.”

This new arrangement stipulates that Min Hee-jin will be able to produce for NewJeans for a minimum of 5 years, coinciding with the fact that NewJeans have 5 more years remaining on their contract with HYBE.

Meanwhile, Min Hee-jin’s representatives indicated that she has declined to sign the new deal presented to her on September 25. The former ADOR CEO intends to continue her efforts to convene another shareholders’ meeting to discuss her reinstatement as the label’s CEO, following her filing of an injunction on September 12.

Source