Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin's photo (Photo Credit / OK Records)
Prosecutors Dismiss All Criminal Complaints Filed by Min Hee-jin
South Korean prosecutors have decided not to pursue any of the criminal complaints filed by former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin against executives from HYBE and its subsidiary BELIFT LAB, marking another major development in the long-running dispute between the former executive and the entertainment giant.
According to legal sources on June 11, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office dismissed all allegations brought by Min against former HYBE CEO Park Ji-won, several HYBE executives, and BELIFT LAB management.
Dispute Stemmed From 2024 HYBE Audit Controversy
The case originated from the highly publicized conflict that erupted in April 2024.
At the time, HYBE released statements alleging that Min had consulted a shaman regarding ADOR management decisions and that ADOR executives had discussed possible plans related to NewJeans’ contractual status.
Min responded by filing criminal complaints, arguing that HYBE executives had distributed false information that damaged her reputation and interfered with ADOR’s business operations.
Prosecutors Found No False Information
After reviewing the evidence, prosecutors concluded that the claims contained in HYBE’s statements could not be considered false.
Investigators reportedly determined that Min had in fact discussed ADOR-related matters with a spiritual advisor, making it difficult to classify HYBE’s public statements as fabricated or intentionally misleading.
As a result, the allegations of business interference and defamation were dismissed.
ILLIT and Plagiarism-Related Complaint Also Rejected
Prosecutors also declined to pursue a separate complaint related to BELIFT LAB’s girl group ILLIT.
Min had previously challenged a YouTube video that argued ILLIT had not copied elements of NewJeans’ choreography, styling, or concept. She claimed the content contained false information that damaged her reputation.
However, prosecutors found insufficient grounds to support criminal defamation charges and dismissed the complaint.
HYBE Cleared in Information Access Investigation
Another complaint centered on allegations that HYBE improperly accessed ADOR’s internal emails and KakaoTalk communications.
Min argued that the company had illegally reviewed internal data and violated information and communications laws.
Prosecutors, however, concluded that HYBE’s actions were conducted within the scope of its lawful audit authority and found no criminal wrongdoing.
Ongoing Fallout From One of K-Pop’s Biggest Corporate Disputes
The legal battle between Min Hee-jin and HYBE has remained one of the most closely watched controversies in the K-pop industry since 2024, attracting attention from fans, investors, and entertainment insiders worldwide.
While this latest ruling removes several criminal allegations from the dispute, the broader fallout surrounding ADOR, NewJeans, HYBE, and BELIFT LAB continues to be a significant topic across the Korean entertainment industry.
Park Minji is a K‑pop writer and journalist who delivers sharp insights and engaging stories on Korean music and culture for global readers.
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