Hello. This is Min Hee-jin.
First, I would like to express my deepest respect and gratitude to the court for carefully examining the substance of this case over a long period of time and for clearly confirming my innocence and sincerity through its ruling.
From the 2024 injunction victory, to the 2025 police decision not to indict, and now to this 2026 first-instance ruling, it has truly been a long tunnel. The court made clear that the provocative framing of “management takeover” and “tampering” was illusory, and it recognized that the concerns I raised regarding creative ethics were legitimate management judgments that a company’s CEO ought to make.
Fact check: The Seoul court stated in their decision that Min Heejin indeed tried to take over ADOR and get New Jeans out of HYBE but ultimately failed. The court acknowledged Min Heejin scouting and meeting with investors with the intent to go independent. All decisions of previous cases indicated the same.
This outcome has felt like comfort that has washed away the wounds of the past two years. In the process, I feel indebted for the fatigue I unintentionally caused the public. I now hope to repay that debt with a new vision for K-pop.
The reason I am standing here today is to tell you that I have decided to exchange the 25.6 billion won I am set to receive as a result of this victory for a different value.
25.6 billion won is an enormous sum that most people would never encounter even after dedicating their entire lives to work. And for me, as someone who has just announced a new beginning, it is also extremely precious capital. However, there is a value I desire far more than this large sum of money, and for that reason, I am holding this press conference to make a meaningful proposal to HYBE.
Among all the reasons behind this decision, the most urgent is the NewJeans members. In exchange for setting aside the 25.6 billion won, I propose that all ongoing civil and criminal lawsuits be immediately halted and all disputes brought to an end. This proposal includes not only matters concerning me personally, but also the termination of all complaints and legal actions involving the NewJeans members, outsourced partner companies, former ADOR employees, and even members of the fandom who were hurt after becoming entangled in this conflict.
CONTEXT:
- Total lawsuits against her and related parties: ₩466억 (~$32.6M)
- Amount she offered to give up: ₩256억 (~$17.9M)
- The ₩256억 is not finalized — it’s on appeal. Court granted HYBE’s request for a stay.
Only when all of these legal disputes are resolved can we prevent further indiscriminate noise affecting not just the artists, but their families and fans as well.
I can no longer bear to watch the reality where five members who should be happily performing on stage must instead see someone standing on stage and someone standing in court. The members on stage must be suffering, and neither the fans watching nor anyone else can view this situation with happiness. With hearts so torn apart, we can never create good culture.
Fact check: Neither HYBE nor ADOR has sued any New Jeans member. Hyein, Haerin, and Hannie have all gone back to ADOR and are preparing for their comeback. Former member Danielle is the only one with a lawsuit against ADOR/HYBE.
As I have said many times, there are values more important to me than money. Now that my sincerity has been confirmed, I want to show the world that there are things more precious than money. I know the NewJeans members must be going through a very difficult time, and I want them to know that there are always adults standing with them and supporting them.
I hope that this decision to exchange 25.6 billion won for a greater value will be elevated into broader development and harmony within the K-pop industry. The place where HYBE and I should be is not a courtroom, but the creative stage.
When I launched NewJeans, I had a creative vision. I deeply regret that I was unable to complete it. For that very reason, I ask that ADOR fulfill the promise it made in court — that it would treat NewJeans well if they return — and make that promise a reality. Please create an environment where all five members can come together and freely pursue their dreams. Opening the path for artists to shine again — that is the only role adults should play.
For me, 25.6 billion won is not greater than the value of restoring a healthy K-pop ecosystem and peaceful daily lives for artists. I hope that from now on, each of us can do our best in our respective paths to present better stages to fans. I propose that we return to our proper roles — competing through music and performance, not in courtrooms. The longer this dispute continues, the more the true protagonists of this industry — the artists — will suffer.
Fact check: Major Korean entertainment industry organizations have expressed concerns about the implication of the Min Heejin winning the put option case. The Korea Music Copyright Association (KMCA) believes it justifies contract tampering and could damage the industry.
I say once again to HYBE and Chairman Bang Si-hyuk: let us meet on the creative stage. As of July 2025, the Commercial Act has been amended to strengthen directors’ fiduciary duties to shareholders. In an era where corporate responsibility has grown heavier, choosing reconciliation and resolving risks in the entertainment industry would be the wisest management decision for shareholders and fans alike.
I will now move forward not as the “former ADOR CEO,” but as the CEO of OK Records, walking a new path. From here on, I will devote all my energy to nurturing new artists who will represent the K-pop industry and to building a new direction in business.
I sincerely thank the members of the press for attending today despite your busy schedules. I hope there will be no more wasteful press conferences after today. From now on, you will see me not in press conference halls or courtrooms, but on the creative stage. I will dedicate myself to what I do best — creativity. I hope my sincerity today becomes a turning point that allows the entire K-pop industry to breathe healthily again.
Today, the KOSPI surpassed 6000. I hope HYBE will carefully consider my proposal in a forward-looking manner so that we may coexist and prosper together.
Thank you.
Update:
HYBE responded to media inquiries:
“We have no position on the matter.”
