HYBE Responds to NewJeans Allegations: Denies Downplaying Claims and Highlights Breach of Journalistic Ethics

On September 25, 2024, HYBE categorically rejected allegations suggesting they are downplaying NewJeans, following claims made by a reporter from a Seoul Newspaper, who accused the company of engaging in media manipulation. During the broadcast of CBS’s Kim Hyun Jung’s News Show, the reporter asserted that a representative from HYBE had contacted them to amend the reported album sales of the girl group in Japan.

HYBE clarified that while the article claimed NewJeans had sold over 1 million albums in Japan, the actual figure was only 50,000 albums sold in Japan and more than 900,000 in South Korea. They emphasized they had “absolutely no reason”to undermine the girl group’s remarkable achievements.

“The reporter stated that over 1.02 million albums were sold ‘in Japan alone.’ However, at the time, the sales in Japan were only around 50,000, and over 900,000 were sold in Korea. We requested a correction because the information was incorrect. There’s absolutely no reason for us to speak negatively about NewJeans’ accomplishments,” HYBE stated.

The company pointed out a significant “violation of journalistic ethics”due to the reporter leaking a confidential conversation and distorting facts.

“In the entertainment industry, strong bonds among creators and artists can lead to attempts to seize control of management, regardless of ownership stakes. This is where the term was employed during the explanation. This constitutes a serious breach of journalistic ethics.”

HYBE and ADOR Confirm No Reinstatement for Min Hee-jin as ADOR CEO

On September 25, 2024, the board of directors at ADOR made it clear that Min Hee-jin would not be reappointed as the label’s CEO. This decision occurred during an emergency shareholders’ meeting prompted by an unauthorized YouTube livestream held by NewJeans on September 11, where they demanded Min Hee-jin’s return as ADOR’s CEO by September 25.

For those unfamiliar, Min Hee-jin was fired from her CEO position at ADOR on August 27, 2024, with the board appointing Kim Joo-young, HYBE’s former Chief of Human Resources, as the new CEO. This shift followed accusations that Min Hee-jin attempted to destabilize ADOR’s management and seize control. She was also accused by HYBE of insider trading.

In expressing their dissatisfaction with the leadership change, NewJeans conducted an unsanctioned YouTube livestream, delivering an ultimatum to their parent company.

Despite ADOR’s announcement on September 25 that they would not reinstate Min Hee-jin as CEO, they expressed willingness to extend her contract as the internal producer for NewJeans for the remainder of their contract term.

“The ADOR board of directors has considered today’s request for reinstatement as CEO and found it currently unacceptable. Since basic guarantees regarding her status, duration, and authority as the producer in charge of NewJeans have been established, we anticipate that negotiations will take place regarding specific conditions in the future.”

NewJeans, the sole group under ADOR, debuted in November 2022, marking HYBE’s second girl group launch after Source Music’s LE SSERAFIM debuted in May. Both ADOR and Source Music operate as subsidiary labels beneath the HYBE umbrella, meaning NewJeans still have five years remaining on their contract with the parent company.

Presently, Min Hee-jin is unwilling to sign the modified contract offered by ADOR, and her legal team is demanding her reinstatement to the position of ADOR’s CEO.

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