Min Hee-jin-HYBE Legal Conflict Intensifies Amid Multiple Issues Including Taehyung Messages, Danielle’s Exclusion, and Album Ruling

The legal dispute between former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin and HYBE is becoming increasingly complicated due to various issues. Multiple layers of conflict are unfolding simultaneously, including the misuse of private messages by Taehyung (BTS), Danielle’s exclusion from NewJeans, and a court ruling regarding forced album distribution.

First is the controversy over Taehyung’s private messages. Taehyung and Min Hee-jin were both key figures in the K-pop industry, exchanging work-related messages through KakaoTalk. Min Hee-jin expressed concerns to Taehyung that NewJeans and another group, ILLIT, were similar, to which Taehyung responded with a message stating he agreed they appeared similar. These were private messages, not official statements or legal opinions. However, later Min Hee-jin’s legal team submitted these messages as court evidence without Taehyung’s consent, and when the messages leaked to the media, suspicions arose that she had interfered in the legal process without his approval.

Simultaneously, Danielle’s exclusion from NewJeans is ongoing. On December 29, 2024, ADOR (NewJeans’ agency) confirmed the return of Haerin, Hyein, and Hanni but notified Danielle that her exclusive contract would be terminated. ADOR stated it found it impossible for Danielle to continue as a member of NewJeans and an artist under ADOR, adding that it planned to hold certain members of Danielle’s family and Min Hee-jin legally accountable for causing the current conflict and delaying NewJeans’ lineup changes.

ADOR filed a lawsuit against Danielle seeking breach-of-contract penalties and damages, as well as lawsuits against some of Danielle’s family members and Min Hee-jin for compensation. The total amount claimed amounts to 43.1 billion won. Additionally, NewJeans’ fan platform PONING plans to delete Danielle’s chat messages, making them accessible only until 11 a.m. on April 3 before being permanently removed.

Meanwhile, the court recognized HYBE’s organized effort to push albums back. HYBE distributed 140,000 albums under a return condition, and actual returns were confirmed. The court specified that this was reflected in the initial album sales figures.

Min Hee-jin proposed a “big deal” to have Danielle return to NewJeans by agreeing to give up 25.6 billion won in profit from a call option, but ADOR, a HYBE subsidiary, rejected the offer.