Min Hee-jin, former CEO of HYBE-owned label ADOR, proposed that HYBE terminate all ongoing civil and criminal litigation between her and the company, offering to forgo a KRW 25.6 billion (USD $17.9 million) court-ordered payout in exchange for a full settlement.
That’s according to Chosun, which cited a press conference in Seoul’s Jongno district on Wednesday (February 25).
The development comes two weeks after the Seoul Central District Court ordered HYBE to pay Min’s put option tied to her former stake in ADOR. The court dismissed HYBE’s lawsuit that sought validation of the contract termination and sided with Min in her claim for payment.
Speaking before reporters, Min said, as quoted by Chosun: “I have decided to trade the 25.6 billion won from the lawsuit victory for a greater value.”
“This amount is a fortune that most people could not access even after dedicating their entire lives. It is also an invaluable sum for me, who has just begun a new chapter. However, there is a value I desire far more urgently than this money, which is why I made this meaningful proposal to HYBE through this press conference.”
“This amount is a fortune that most people could not access even after dedicating their entire lives. It is also an invaluable sum for me, who has just begun a new chapter.”
Min Hee-jin, ooak Records
Reading a prepared statement, Min added: “The most pressing reason for this decision is the members of ‘NewJeans.’ I propose that in exchange for my waiving the 25.6 billion won, all ongoing civil and criminal lawsuits be immediately halted and all disputes resolved.”
The proposal pushes for ending all HYBE lawsuits against Min, NewJeans members, external partner companies, former ADOR employees, and even fandoms, Min said.
“Only when all these lawsuits are concluded can we prevent further baseless noise affecting the artists, their families, and the fandom.”
According to a separate Chosun report, Min’s proposal also includes dropping a legal dispute betwen ADOR and production company Dolphiners Film, as well as the damages lawsuit ADOR lodged against NewJeans member Danielle, Min herself, and a member of Danielle’s family.
Min thanked the court for examining the case that stretched back to 2024, when she first won a provisional injunction to retain her CEO position, to a police decision not to indict her in 2025, and to the court’s latest decision.
Min said, “[I]t was truly a long tunnel… The result of this lawsuit was like consolation that washed away the wounds of the past two years for me. I feel a sense of liability for the fatigue I unintentionally caused the public during that process.”
“I propose that in exchange for my waiving the 25.6 billion won, all ongoing civil and criminal lawsuits be immediately halted and all disputes resolved.”
Min Hee-jin, ooak Records
During her press conference, Min also called on HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk: “Let us meet in the realm of creation, not in the courtroom.”
She added: “[C]hoosing harmony and minimizing risks in the entertainment industry will be the wisest management decision toward shareholders and fans.”
Min closed her presscon by formally stepping away from her identity as former ADOR CEO, saying she would operate going forward as CEO of ooak Records.
“Going forward, I will devote all my energy to nurturing new artists who will represent the K-pop industry and to business directions with new perspectives. I hope there will be no more wasteful press conferences after today.”
“Going forward, I will devote all my energy to nurturing new artists who will represent the K-pop industry and to business directions with new perspectives.”
Min Hee-jin, ooak Records
As MBW previously reported, Min is moving forward with plans to debut a boy group through her new label, marking her first major project since leaving ADOR.
Korea Times reported in December that Min confirmed her new plans during an appearance on YouTube channel JTBCSHOW. There, she said she has no immediate plans to produce another girl group.
In October, Korean entertainment outlet SpoTV News reported that Min has set up a new entertainment company called ooak Co. It was officially registered on October 16, 2025, with business operations spanning artist management, music production and distribution, performance planning, and brand management.
“I hope there will be no more wasteful press conferences after today,” Min said.
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