Previously, on February 12, the district court ruled that HYBE must compensate Min Hee Jin 25.5 billion won (about 17.7 million USD). The court determined that Ms. Min Hee Jin had the right to implement the share sale clause according to the signed agreement, and at the same time rejected HYBE's argument that the female director violated the shareholder contract.
During the trial, HYBE once accused Min Hee Jin of trying to "take control of ADOR" and taking steps to separate the company from the group. However, the court determined that her actions, including considering the possibility of ADOR operating independently or raising plagiarism allegations related to the ILLIT group, did not constitute an act of violating obligations as CEO.
After the first-instance verdict, HYBE filed an appeal on February 19, expressing its position to continue pursuing the case at the next level of trial to re-examine the court's conclusion. This move shows that the legal dispute between the two sides has not yet come to an end, although the initial verdict leaned towards Min Hee Jin.
The case between HYBE and Min Hee Jin has attracted great attention in the Korean entertainment industry recently, especially when ADOR is the management company of the NewJeans group - one of the globally influential K-pop groups. Controversies surrounding management rights, operating orientation and relationships between the parent company and subsidiaries have sparked many discussions about governance structures in entertainment corporations.
While the legal process continues, Min Hee Jin has recently taken a new step in her career by participating in activities through the independent company OOAK Records. This information is seen as a signal that she is gradually returning to the entertainment market after a period of dispute.
