Alleged Consequences NewJeans Could Face Now That Min Hee Jin Is No Longer ADOR’s CEO

This article is part of our coverage of HYBE vs. ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin. You can read more and view the entire timeline here.

On August 27, ADOR announced a significant leadership change, appointing Ju Young Kim as the new CEO during a recent board meeting. Meanwhile, Min Hee Jin has stepped down from the role.

Kim is reportedly known for extensive experience in human resources within the industry and is expected to focus on strengthening the company’s internal structure. The label’s former CEO, Min, is said to continue her involvement with ADOR as an internal director — concentrating specifically on overseeing NewJeans’ production.

The leadership change aims to separate will continue her involvement with ADOR as an internal director, concentrating specifically on overseeing NewJeans’ production.

Min Hee Jin Steps Down As ADOR CEO

However, while HYBE feels as though this is a positive move, fans of NewJeans disagree.

Another minion from yellow company okay lets byebye to the girls future

— minuroo ⚜️ (@minuroo__) August 27, 2024

BUNNIES have been quick to speculate on how this shift might impact the group’s future projects and creative freedom. One concern is that the harmonious alignment between management and production, which previously allowed for innovative decisions like producing music videos for all tracks, may no longer be as seamless.

newjeans mvs now tht mhj is gone 😭pic.twitter.com/G7Zeu1mX7S https://t.co/9jtW1mN444

— ⚡️Yoizz⚡️ (@criminalchae) August 27, 2024

Initiatives inspired by the members themselves—such as Hyein’s idea to release songs without teasers—could also face more bureaucratic hurdles under the new structure, especially considering how other HYBE labels have operated so far.

I don’t get how some of you can easily say “trust what the new CEO can do”? Can you hear yourself?! You’re trusting someone from Hybe? After everything Hybe did and is doing right now, you’ll trust someone whose loyalty is to that conglomerate and its chairman? It’s an exec from…

— 1tokki (@juantokki) August 27, 2024

There is also apprehension about whether the group will maintain the same level of input and control over their work, a feature that has been integral to their unique identity.

What does this mean for NewJeans

1. The members now have no say in creative direction

2. Less brand exposure from their current brands

3. Less performances and overall promotion for future projects

4. A possible cancellation of album release and the anticipated fn collab https://t.co/SdVLueZLJr

— Lia ʚɞ (@Liatokii) August 27, 2024

Budget allocation is another area where fans anticipate changes, fearing that financial support for creative endeavors might become more restrictive. With Min Hee Jin as CEO, it was easy to have her ideas implemented without having to ask for approval.

with mhj stepping down as ceo, here are a few things that immediately can happen within ador. (assuming now that hybe has complete control)

1. a complete restructure of internal personnel
2. budget allocation
3. production plans being disapproved, shelved, etc
4. album proposals…

— PoppyKPoppie (@PoppyKPoppie) August 27, 2024

Other worries include possible changes in commercial strategy — something that has set NewJeans apart from other K-Pop groups since its debut. For example, fans worry the new leadership could consider introducing random photocards to boost album sales. “If it will improve sales. They will do it. All HYBE cares [about] is money. And their CEO is from HYBE. So yes. It might happen,” said one fan.

Ah. Yes. If it will improve sales. They will do it. All hybe cares is money. And their CEO is from Hybe. So yes. It might happen

— 1tokki (@juantokki) August 27, 2024