According to Allkpop, Korean netizens are buzzing about the rumor that ADOR Company is preparing to debut a new boy group, after NewJeans announced the termination of their contract.
On the online forum Instiz, a post that caught attention mentioned: “They say ADOR is preparing a boy group… It seems like HYBE is currently transferring staff from other companies to ADOR.”
Previously, ADOR (a subsidiary of HYBE Group) was established with Min Hee Jin serving as both CEO and producer for NewJeans (Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, Hyein) - the company's only artist.
With the success of NewJeans in its first year of debut, Min Hee Jin was recognized for her talent and strategic vision. She directed the image building, music style orientation and created the unique color of NewJeans.
But after the conflict between Min Hee Jin and HYBE broke out (from April), by August 2024, ADOR dismissed Min Hee Jin and appointed a new CEO, Kim Joo Young (who is also the HR Director of HYBE). Close associates and the production team for NewJeans also left ADOR.
The company also had conflicts with director Shin Woo Seok - CEO of Dolphiners Films - who directed and produced the music videos for NewJeans' famous songs such as "Ditto", "OMG", "ETA", "Cool With You".
Recently, NewJeans announced the termination of the contract with ADOR from November 29, 2024.
When rumors spread that ADOR was preparing to debut a boy band to replace NewJeans, many viewers expressed their “disappointment” at Min Hee Jin’s absence. They said that without her unique production style, there would be nothing to look forward to in an ADOR boy band.
Korean audiences commented: “ADOR without Min Hee Jin is just HYBE”, “It’s just another HYBE idol group, nothing to look forward to”, “Min Hee Jin’s entire team has left anyway, so this is just another Bang Si Hyuk boy group”, “If it doesn’t have Min Hee Jin’s aesthetic style, what hope is there?”, “Kim Joo Young’s boy group?”…
