ADOR provides evidence showing Min Hee-jin allegedly orchestrated NewJeans split

New evidence presented by South Korean music label ADOR suggests that former CEO Min Hee-jin orchestrated NewJeans' attempt to leave the agency.

An audio recording dated Sept. 2, 2024 was presented in court on Thursday during the damages lawsuit against former member Danielle, her mother, and Min.

In the recording, Min allegedly discussed plans with the members' parents surrounding NewJeans' livestream held a few days later. She said that it will generate evidence for a future lawsuit to terminate the members' exclusive contracts.

This contradicts Min’s previous claims that she had discouraged the livestream and that the members had acted independently.

ADOR is seeking damages from Min, arguing that her active orchestration of the contract terminations caused the agency significant financial loss.

The conflict began in April 2024, with Min dismissed as ADOR CEO that August. In November, she exercised her put option, a contractual right allowing a shareholder to sell shares at a predetermined price.

ADOR produced the K-pop girl group New Jeans, which was also involved in a legal dispute regarding its tenure with the company. 

All five members of NewJeans on a Sept. 11 livestream demanded that Hybe reinstate Min as ADOR's CEO, citing concerns over the group's creative direction.

In October 2025, the girl group lost its lawsuit against ADOR after the court ruled that the exclusive contracts with the five members are valid.

Months later in December, the label terminated its exclusive contract with member Danielle June Marsh.

Meanwhile, in February, Min won her legal dispute with HYBE involving the termination of the two parties' shareholders' contract. As reported by The Korea Times, the Seoul Central District Court ordered HYBE to pay Min 25.5 billion won (P1 billion) in put options, along with billions more to two former ADOR executives.