Min Hee-jin Tops Joy News 24’s ‘Entertainment Power People of 2024’ Survey Amidst HYBE x ADOR Controversy

In a recent economic survey conducted by South Korean media outlet Joy News 24, Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of ADOR, has emerged as a dominant figure, securing the top spot in the ‘Entertainment Power People of 2024’. Min’s influential status was recognized during the period from September 30 to October 8, 2024, where she ranked first among 200 prominent personalities in South Korea.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary on November 6, 2024, Joy News 24 sought the opinions of readers on the most influential individuals across various entertainment sectors, including dramas, films, and music. Notably, Min Hee-jin, the only non-celebrity to feature prominently on the list, captured the public’s interest amidst a highly publicized conflict with HYBE, further solidifying her status in the industry.

Min Hee-jin’s Rise to Prominence Amidst Controversy

For context, Min Hee-jin became embroiled in controversy earlier this year when HYBE accused her of orchestrating a takeover of ADOR and its flagship girl group, NewJeans. An internal audit by HYBE suggested she may have conspired with executives from Dunamu to undermine HYBE’s stock value in a bid to seize control of the label. It is important to note that ADOR operates as a subsidiary of HYBE Corporation, which holds an 80% stake in the label, with NewJeans being its only group.

The conflict escalated after Min Hee-jin’s termination as ADOR’s CEO in August 2024, a decision believed to be influenced by prolonged tensions between the two parties. She subsequently filed an injunction on September 13 to regain her position, which was denied by ADOR’s independent board, emphasizing that her dismissal was in accordance with protocol as her contract had expired.

New developments emerged when, on October 17, Newsen reported her reappointment as an internal director at ADOR, a position effective November 2, 2024, for a three-year tenure. Despite this, Min Hee-jin maintained her legal battle, arguing that her removal from the CEO role constituted a breach of contract. However, HYBE contended that the ADOR board’s decision followed due process.

In another twist, a court ruling on October 29 indicated that Min Hee-jin’s request for reinstatement as CEO was denied due to a lack of substantial evidence. The court clarified that the CEO appointment process operates separately from the shareholder agreement terms, thus legally preventing her from reclaiming the CEO title.

Adding to the tension, HYBE found itself at the center of another controversy surrounding its “Industry Trends Report.”The report reportedly contained disparaging remarks about several K-pop groups, including BLACKPINK and Stray Kids. This revelation came to light during a National Assembly Audit on October 24, 2024, prompting significant public backlash.

In response to the uproar, HYBE’s CEO, Lee Jae-sang, issued a formal apology, acknowledging the inflammatory nature of the report and clarifying that it was based on fan comments from social media. He committed to reaching out to the affected groups and their agencies to extend his apologies.

For further information on these developments, you can check the full article here.