Min Hee Jin speaks out as all NewJeans members return to ADOR
Former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin broke her silence after news surfaced that all five members of NewJeans would be returning to the label.
In her Nov. 13 statement, Min said she “respect[s] and support[s]” the group’s decision to return to ADOR, acknowledging the weight behind their choice.
“I believe the decision the members made yesterday to return together was reached after deep deliberation and discussion,” she said, highlighting the group’s unity after a turbulent chapter.
Min went on to express admiration for the members’ resolve.
“Despite the difficulties, I deeply value the courage of the members who joined hands again to protect one another,” Min said, adding that she believes that Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein "must be kept intact as five members."
"I hope the members grow stronger and that NewJeans becomes an even better group, and above all, that all five members are happy," she continued.
Min thanked the group's fans for their continued support and asked them to welcome NewJeans as they make their return.
"I too will watch over NewJeans’ music and growth and support them to the very end," she said.
Finally, she addressed her separate legal dispute with HYBE:
“During this period, as multiple lawsuits proceeded simultaneously, a difficult time has been prolonged for all of us.”
“The litigation between HYBE and me is entirely separate and has nothing to do with NewJeans. As an individual, I am doing my very best and hope the truth will be brought to light. I ask for your continued support,” Min ended.
Legal battle
In April 2024, HYBE filed a complaint against Min, accusing her of trying to take over ADOR to become independent from the parent company, which the latter denied. In the same month, Min also released a lengthy statement, slamming HYBE for allowing Belift Lab's ILLIT to allegedly "copy" K-pop girl group NewJeans.
In September of the same year, NewJeans broke their silence on the issue for the first time via a surprise live broadcast on their YouTube channel, where they demanded Min's reinstatement as CEO.
A month later, Soompi reported that the court had denied Min’s request for an injunction for her reappointment as ADOR CEO, saying her claims “did not meet the legal requirements to constitute grounds for an injunction.”
Min later resigned as an internal director of ADOR in November 2024, officially leaving parent agency HYBE.
In October 2025, she was found guilty of workplace harassment against a former ADOR employee by the Seoul Western District Court, upholding a previous ruling from the Seoul Labor Office.
Following the court’s ruling, it was first reported on Nov. 12 that two members (Haerin and Hyein) would return to ADOR and resume activities under the contract. Later that same day, the announcement was extended: all five members will return to the agency and continue their contractual term until 2029.
Min, for her part, has started a new K-pop agency called One of A Kind, which was registered on Oct. 16.
The new agency will specialize in celebrity management, music production and distribution, performance and event organization, and brand management.