After the emotional statement from ADOR CEO Min Heejin at her press conference regarding the latest conflict and drama controversy, HYBE Label initially stated that it was not worth responding to. However, eventually, the giant music corporation released an extensive statement explaining their rebuttal against Min Heejin’s press conference. While the statement was long and probably confusing in the general public’s eye, let us help you understand by summarizing the statement in simple terms while discussing all the crucial details.
HYBE Releases Full Rebuttal on Conflict and Drama Controversy Against ADOR CEO Min Heejin
Following the statement that ADOR CEO Min Heejin delivered at her emotional press conference, HYBE Labels eventually responded to the conflict and drama controversy.
On April 26, the giant music corporation released an official statement addressing all the details Min Heejin had revealed. They reportedly wanted to share their version of the truth to protect their IP and shareholder value.
And here is the complete response from HYBE on the conflict and drama controversy against ADOR CEO Min Heejin.
HYBE’s Facts and Details on the Conflict and Controversy
1. Min Heejin Planned the Takeover for Months = NOT a Joke!
Firstly, HYBE believes that Min Heejin’s takeover plan was not a joke, unlike what she said in the press conference. The company claimed to have found transcripts and journals about this dated back for months. And they believe that when Min Heejin dragged a third party into the discussion, she had already started to act on the plans.
Moreover, Min Heejin talked to professional accountants. And according to ADOR’s vice president’s (VP’s) note, Min Heejin’s final remarks were to “ultimately exit” HYBE. Therefore, HYBE does not believe that the takeover discussion was a joke. That is especially when they involve stock profits, preparing for rights violation lawsuits, mentioning investment companies, and starting media play.
Not only that, but the ADOR’s VP also wrote that everything should “be treated as a private conversation.”
2. ADOR “Small Salary”? They Still Have MORE Bonuses!
Secondly, HYBE also addressed the claim of ADOR CEO Min Heejin and executives’ “small salary” in the conflict and drama controversy.
The “small salary” claim was actually the bonus performance they got in 2023 only. This payment did not include their “regular monthly salary” and “long-term bonuses.” In fact, their salary is the highest among everyone in HYBE Korea.
3. Min Heejin Reportedly Ignored HYBE’s Reply
Thirdly, HYBE also stated that the audit did not just happen out of nowhere. The giant music corporation said they sent a 6-page reply to Min Heejin on April 22 at 10.01 AM KST. The read receipt then suggested that ADOR CEO Min Heejin read the reply at 12.00 PM.
And yet, ADOR CEO Min Heejin kept on saying she hadn’t received an answer from HYBE.
HYBE eventually conducted the audit due to the takeover plan, so it would be ridiculous if ADOR Min Heejin demanded a notice.
4. Min Heejin is Directing a Media Play
Additionally, ADOR CEO Min Heejin still has not returned her laptop, reportedly due to her media play in this conflict and drama controversy with HYBE.
She reportedly claimed she could not return the laptop because she was busy preparing for NewJeans’ comeback. However, HYBE said that they would provide a new laptop with the same existing material so there would be no issue with work. The reason was nonsense, and HYBE believed she was playing with her statements.
5. NewJeans’ Debut Delayed Not Because of LE SSERAFIM
According to HYBE, the main reason for NewJeans’ debut delay was not because of Source Music or LE SSERAFIM.
At the time, Min Heejin insisted on debuting NewJeans under a separate label. Therefore, although Source Music disagreed, HYBE transferred all members involved to ADOR with a budget of 16.0 billion KRW (about 11.7 million USD) up until today.
Therefore, the delay in NewJeans’ debut was not because of Source Music or LE SSERAFIM. Instead, it was because of the lengthy process of contract transfer and new label creation.
Due to these issues in roles and responsibilities between Source Music and Min Heejin, NewJeans debut was delayed. Hence, LE SSERAFIM ended up debuting as HYBE’s first girl group.
6. HYBE Shortened LE SSERAFIM’s Promotions for NewJeans
Furthermore, HYBE claimed they did not ask ADOR CEO Min Heejin not to promote NewJeans during debut.
Due to the consecutive debuts of LE SSERAFIM and NewJeans, HYBE did not have enough time for proper promotional activities. And since they were afraid that NewJeans’ member lineup would leak after Sakura joined Source Music, HYBE made such a request to Min Heejin.
But in the end, the company shortened LE SSERAFIM’s debut promotion so they could start promoting NewJeans.
7. NewJeans Had the Largest Number of HYBE’s Press Releases
At the same time, HYBE also denied neglecting NewJeans. In fact, HYBE had released the highest number of press releases for NewJeans.
- BIGHIT MUSIC (BTS + individuals = 8 Units): 659 pieces,
- Pledis Entertainment (SEVENTEEN = 4 Units): 365 pieces,
- ADOR (NewJeans): 273 pieces.
8. HYBE Conflict and Drama Controversy with ADOR Min Heejin Started Because of Money
ADOR CEO Min Heejin once claimed that she had signed a ‘slave contract’ with HYBE during conflict and drama controversy. HYBE rebutted this by saying Min Heejin’s contract expires in November 2026. After November 2026, she can sell her shares and even create a new business.
Therefore, when Min Heejin stated she did not care about money, HYBE believed she was lying. That’s because the entire conflict and drama controversy between HYBE and ADOR started when Min Heejin scaled how much money she would receive as compensation.
9. HYBE Wants to Make Eco-Friendly Albums and Photocards
On the other hand, HYBE apparently claimed to devote the company to ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) management. This means that they also want to create albums and photocards that are more “eco-friendly.”
That is why HYBE decided to use more paper instead of plastic. They also utilize biodegradable materials for album cases and photocards despite their higher cost and intensive labor.
And yet, ADOR Min Heejin kept on saying that it was ineffective. She even called the biodegradable photocards a “joke.”
However, HYBE wants to keep applying these eco-friendly practices to all its labels, although ADOR has been uncooperative with the changes.
10. ADOR Min Heejin: A Whistleblower
HYBE initially continued discussing modifying the shareholder agreement with Min Heejin. However, they stopped after learning that Min Heejin had become a whistleblower.
According to HYBE, Min Heejin privately consulted with the company’s lawyers and accountants to discuss adjustments to the shareholder agreement and considered raising concerns through whistleblowing. An audit also revealed that she had discussions with law firms and external investors about potentially taking over management rights.
11. The Shaman? Not Just Your Ordinary Friend!
Among all things, HYBE refuses to believe that the shaman is not just Min Heejin’s ordinary friend.
The giant music corporation claimed they cannot view someone as just a friend if they are deeply involved in management decisions.
According to HYBE, the shaman actually has access to confidential information. That includes details about executive stock options, potential investors, and shareholder distributions in a management takeover.
Not only that, but this shaman also influences Min Heejin’s decisions, including job placements, based on their advice. That is why HYBE refuses to ignore Min Heejin’s sharing critical company information with the shaman, which significantly impacts her decisions.
12. Not Caring for NewJeans Comeback? Min Heejin Started Everything First!
Eventually, HYBE also addresses the claim that amid the entire conflict and drama controversy with ADOR Min Heejin, they don’t care about NewJeans comeback. They believe that it was Min Heejin who started everything first.
Min Heejin began challenging HYBE in April, threatening HYBE to use NewJeans as her leverage so the company would agree with her terms. HYBE even stated that Min Heejin said she would leave the company if HYBE did not agree to her compensation plan.
Initially, HYBE tried to meet her requests. However, HYBE then believes everything was built up to take over ADOR’s management rights. That’s why HYBE has no choice but to audit ADOR despite NewJeans’ comeback.
And since Min Heejin repeatedly mentioned several artists’ names in the statement, HYBE believe it was her who does not value the artists.
BTS RM and NewJeans Same Date Comeback: Unexpected Development in HYBE vs ADOR Min Heejin Drama
Finally, amid this high tension of HYBE vs ADOR Min Heejin conflict and drama controversy, netizens pointed out an unexpected development.
On the same day as Min Heejin’s press conference, HYBE announced that BTS great leader, RM, would soon release a single. But what’s shocking was that the single release would be on the same day as NewJeans’ single release, May 24, scheduled long before the issue.
Due to this development, the public became furious because HYBE is once again playing the BTS card to gain attention and divert them from NewJeans.
- “HYBE, what are you thinking? The release dates are the same! What is wrong with you guys?
- “It’s really unfair to release the albums on the same day. And then they say they’ll support NewJeans’ comeback—yeah, right.”
- “Can you believe how they’re treating BTS? It seems over the top.”
- “They claim to be from the same company, but where’s their sense of ethics?”
- “This is just embarrassing. If Bang PD had produced this group, he wouldn’t have allowed this.”
- “HYBE really needs to stop exploiting BTS.”
- “Don’t you think their treatment of BTS is excessive?”
- “Every time something like this happens, it just highlights how poorly they’re managing things.”
- “This is so frustrating…”
- “I’m really fed up with how HYBE keeps using BTS.”
- “Why are they treating BTS like this?”
So, what do you think about this development? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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It's just crazy. They are crazy.