South Korean prosecutors have declined to indict executives from HYBE and BELIFT LAB in a series of criminal complaints filed by former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, marking another major development in the ongoing legal battle that has engulfed HYBE, ADOR, NewJeans, and several of the companies’ top executives.
The decision, confirmed on June 10, follows months of review into allegations ranging from defamation and business interference to unlawful access of electronic information.
Prosecutors concluded there was insufficient basis to consider HYBE’s statements false, including allegations that Min consulted a shaman on management matters and sought to separate NewJeans from HYBE.
The complaints were among the most significant legal actions filed by Min during her public conflict with HYBE, which began in April 2024 and eventually expanded into multiple civil and criminal proceedings involving ADOR, NewJeans, BELIFT LAB, and HYBE executives.
The Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office dismissed multiple complaints filed by Min between July and December 2024 against six HYBE executives, including former HYBE CEO Park Ji-won, as well as four BELIFT LAB executives, including CEO Kim Tae-ho.
“Shamanistic Management” Claims Not Considered False
Min had accused HYBE executives of defamation and business interference after HYBE publicly claimed in April 2024 that:
Min consulted a female shaman regarding major ADOR management decisions.
ADOR executives discussed terminating NewJeans’ contracts and separating from HYBE.
Min argued the allegations were false and damaged her reputation.
Prosecutors, however, concluded that while the term “shamanistic management” may have been an exaggerated expression, there was insufficient basis to conclude that the underlying claims were false.
According to prosecutors, KakaoTalk messages obtained during the investigation showed that Min had engaged in multiple conversations with a shaman regarding ADOR-related matters.
Prosecutors also cited an October 2024 court ruling that examined evidence presented during the broader HYBE–Min dispute.
According to that ruling, evidence suggested that Min had prepared public-relations campaigns and legal strategies aimed at pursuing independence from HYBE alongside NewJeans.
The prosecutors did not conclude that every allegation made by HYBE was definitively proven. Rather, they determined there was insufficient evidence to support criminal charges against HYBE executives for making those statements.
HYBE’s Internal Audit Deemed Lawful
Another major issue involved HYBE’s controversial audit of ADOR.
Min had accused HYBE of illegally accessing her company email account and reviewing KakaoTalk and cloud data belonging to former ADOR Vice President Lee Sang-woo.
She filed criminal complaints alleging violations involving unauthorized access to electronic information and communications systems.
Prosecutors rejected those allegations.
According to the decision, HYBE’s actions fell within the scope of its lawful audit authority.
Investigators found that both Min and Lee had signed security agreements and consent forms governing the collection and use of company-related information when joining ADOR.
The investigation also concluded that Lee voluntarily provided his KakaoTalk password and related access information during the audit process.
As a result, prosecutors found no basis for criminal charges relating to the audit.
ILLIT Copying Allegations Rejected
The decision also addressed one of the most publicly debated aspects of the dispute: Min’s allegations that BELIFT LAB’s girl group ILLIT copied NewJeans.
Min repeatedly argued that ILLIT’s concept, styling, choreography, visual identity, and overall creative direction were modeled after NewJeans.
In June 2024, she filed a defamation complaint after BELIFT LAB released a YouTube video disputing those allegations and defending the group’s creative development.
Min later filed an additional complaint against BELIFT LAB CEO Kim Tae-ho after he accused her of spreading false plagiarism claims.
Prosecutors rejected both arguments.
In reaching that conclusion, prosecutors relied in part on an earlier court finding that acknowledged similarities between the two groups but concluded that the available evidence did not support labeling ILLIT a copy of NewJeans.
The court had previously noted that while certain similarities existed in areas such as planning materials and photoshoots, those similarities alone were insufficient to conclude that ILLIT was a duplicate of NewJeans.
Prosecutors ultimately determined that BELIFT LAB’s video constituted an expression of opinion and a rebuttal to Min’s public accusations rather than criminal defamation.
They likewise found no basis to conclude that Kim Tae-ho’s complaint against Min constituted false accusation.
Police and Prosecutors Reached the Same Conclusion
The prosecutorial decision follows a similar conclusion previously reached by police.
In July 2025, investigators decided not to refer HYBE and BELIFT LAB executives for prosecution.
Min formally objected to that decision, prompting further review by prosecutors.
After receiving the case, prosecutors ordered supplemental investigation in February 2026 and requested additional findings from police.
Despite the expanded review, prosecutors ultimately reached the same conclusion and dismissed all complaints.
What Happens Next?
Min may still pursue available legal avenues to challenge the decision, although both police and prosecutors have now independently reached the same conclusion after extensive review.
The ruling also does not affect the numerous civil lawsuits that remain ongoing between HYBE, ADOR, Min Hee-jin, and former NewJeans members.
Several of those cases—including contract disputes, damages claims, and other civil actions—are still working their way through South Korea’s courts.
Key Takeaway
This decision does not mean prosecutors ruled that every statement made by HYBE was true in every respect.
Rather, prosecutors concluded there was insufficient evidence to support criminal charges against HYBE or BELIFT LAB executives for defamation, business interference, illegal access to electronic information, or false accusation.
The ruling represents another legal setback for Min Hee-jin in her broader dispute with HYBE, while leaving many of the civil battles stemming from the conflict still unresolved.
