“Silence is a Form of Opinion” — HYBE’s PR Head Addresses Mental Strain on LE SSERAFIM and ILLIT Due to Min Hee-jin’s Allegations

On October 14, 2024, Top Star News unveiled what is claimed to be a phone conversation between the Head of Public Relations at HYBE and a journalist. Within this conversation, the PR Head expressed that the allegations made by Min Hee-jin against ILLIT and LE SSERAFIM had resulted in significant mental distress for those involved.

The report highlighted that the PR Head elaborated on how HYBE Corporation, the parent entity of ADOR, created multiple labels to alleviate Chairman Bang Si-hyuk from micromanaging every operation. This structure permitted each label to pursue independent administrative and creative paths. Nonetheless, a lawsuit was necessary against Min Hee-jin due to her accusations that ILLIT had plagiarized the group NewJeans.

“When Group A under Belift Lab faced criticism as ‘fake New Jeans,’ the mental health of those artists was severely impacted. That’s the reason I saw no alternative but to initiate legal action to support both the artists and their fans. The situation is similar for Source Music, as the majority of Group B’s members are experiencing mental instability at this moment.”

The PR Head further remarked on Chairman Bang Si-hyuk’s decision to refrain from commenting on the controversy. He underscored Min Hee-jin’s efforts to assert control over ADOR and its girl group NewJeans, despite HYBE holding an 80% stake in ADOR and having NewJeans classified as one of its assets.

He conveyed that in his view, Bang Si-hyuk and Min Hee-jin exist on entirely different tiers, which makes direct involvement from Bang Si-hyuk unlikely. Addressing the Chairman’s reticence regarding the unfolding situation, he stated:

“Silence can also express an opinion.”

He further commented:

“Honestly, the idea that Min Hee-jin and Chairman Bang Si-hyuk are casually interacting is absurd… It defies logic. Bang Si-hyuk stands among the wealthiest individuals in our nation and is the leader of a substantial conglomerate. Why would a CEO act in such a manner? Doing so would only serve to enhance Min Hee-jin’s reputation.”

NewJeans Fandom Released Full 7-Minute Recording Between Hybe PR and Reporter Jang Hyung-Woo. (Image via X/@jaemgwan)

NewJeans Omitted from HYBE’s 2024 Q4 Release Lineup

On the same day, October 14, 2024, HYBE shared its album release strategy for Q4 2024 (covering October to December) for all its idol groups. Observers noted that the release timeline notably excluded any mention of upcoming activities for the newly debuted girl group, NewJeans, leading to a surge of discussions on the Korean online platform, TheQoo.

At the same time, the ongoing conflict between HYBE and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin traces back to April 2024. She has been accused of attempting to commandeer ADOR by destabilizing the management of its parent company. Moreover, reports suggest that she colluded with Dunamu to undermine HYBE’s stock market performance.

In August 2024, the board of directors at ADOR removed Min Hee-jin from her position, subsequently appointing Kim Joo-young as the new CEO of the label. As a result of the continuous dispute, NewJeans has publicly expressed their support for Min Hee-jin.

Fans speculate that this ongoing rivalry may have led to their omission from the Q4 schedule, effectively putting a halt to their planned activities. Min Hee-jin mentioned back in September that her conflict had adversely affected plans for NewJeans’ future projects.

“Significant disruptions have occurred. My plans for a surprise fan meeting for our Korean supporters were interrupted. Additionally, several vice presidents were suddenly removed from their roles. The next album’s development has also been brought to a standstill. This situation is truly disheartening. This, too, signifies an act of obstruction by HYBE against NewJeans.”

Currently, Min Hee-jin has filed for an injunction to restore her position as ADOR’s CEO, with the court expected to render a final decision by the end of October 2024.

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