K-pop sensation NewJeans has reportedly given an ultimatum to HYBE, demanding that Min Hee-jin be reinstated as CEO of Ador by September 25. This announcement came during a YouTube livestream, though the post about the stream was later removed from X (formerly known as Twitter). “What we want is for Ador to be restored to its original state with Min Hee-jin as the CEO, where management and producing are integrated. Restore Ador to its original state by September 25,” NewJeans member Minji reportedly said.
There has been speculation within the industry that NewJeans may be contemplating terminating their contract with HYBE if Min Hee-jin is not reinstated. However, industry insiders believe HYBE is unlikely to give in due to their ongoing disputes with Ador’s management, reports The Korea Herald.
It is not unusual for artists to request changes from their agencies, and if their demands aren’t met within a set period, they might file for an injunction to suspend their contracts.
According to Koreaboo, this escalation has come after months-long feud between Min Hee-Jin and Bang Si-hyuk, and a court order instructing HYBE not to fire the ADOR founder. Meanwhile, NewJeans hasn’t revealed what actions they will take if their request is not fulfilled.
The group has reportedly remained vocal in their support of Min Hee-jin, even after she was removed as CEO of Ador on August 27. Should they choose to leave, Ador would be without its main artist and it could lose on a group that generated a major chuck of its total revenue last year, informs Koreaboo.
NewJeans, the Korean girl group under ADOR, consists of five members – Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein. With Min Hee-jin as their primary producer till now, the group has gained popularity for their nostalgic sound, drawing inspiration from 1990s and 2000s music, while maintaining a charming girl-next-door image that sets them apart in the K-pop scene.
At this point, both fans and industry insiders are eagerly awaiting a response from HYBE and Ador regarding the serious claims made by NewJeans. Despite the ongoing speculations, neither HYBE nor NewJeans have released any official statement regarding the issue. It has left many wondering if the group’s future with the agency is in jeopardy.
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