“Gaslighting, Manipulation, Shaminism” — All You Need To Know From Min Hee Jin And HYBE’s Explosive First Day In Court

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.

Min Hee Jin‘s first day in court in her injunction hearing against HYBE has come to a close.

On May 17, Seoul’s Central District Court held a hearing for Min Hee Jin’s injunction against HYBE. Previously, Min Hee Jin filed the injunction after HYBE asked her to step down from her role as ADOR’s CEO.

On this day, HYBE levied a barrage of new allegations against Min Hee Jin, while the ADOR CEO hit back with damning accusations of her own. The most shocking claims are listed below.

1. HYBE Alleges Min Hee Jin Gaslighted NewJeans

During the hearing, HYBE alleged that Min Hee Jin’s motherly figure was all a facade. The agency claimed that Min Hee Jin hated working with NewJeans and had on several occasions claimed that the members were mentally weak and shouldn’t be treated as artists. The agency goes on to claim that Min Hee Jin gaslighted the members and wanted them to be submissive to her.

It is notable that HYBE didn’t provide acceptable evidence to their claims.  The agency did however offer alleged text messages, which release was successfully objected by ADOR.

2. HYBE Claims Min Hee Jin Adheres To Shamanism — Relies On A Shaman To Make Decisions

HYBE then went on to claim that Min Hee Jin overly relied on a shaman. According to the label, NewJeans debuted after LE SSERAFIM not because Bang Si Hyuk had broken his promise but because Min Hee Jin had consulted with a shaman and chose a later debut date.

ADOR rejected all claims as ridiculous. HYBE did not provide any evidence for their claims.

3. Judge Scolds HYBE, Directs Label To Stick To Legal Facts

According to reports, after HYBE made its claims about Min Hee Jin’s alleged adherence to shaminsim, the judge admonished the label and ordered them to stick to legal facts. When asked for evidence supporting HYBE’s claims surrounding their shareholder agreement and voting rights, HYBE’s lawyers cited a lack of legal precedent.

4. HYBE Claims Min Hee Jin Had Met With Outside Investors To Free ADOR From HYBE

Reports state that HYBE’s lawyers claimed that Min Hee Jin had met with several investors, venture capitalist firms, and outside analysts to plot a takeover of HYBE. According to HYBE, Min Hee Jin had also asked for the right to terminate NewJeans’ exclusive contract with ADOR.

5. Min Hee Jin’s Internal Complaint Was About HYBE’s Bulk-Buying Albums To Manipulate Charts

Most damning on this day was Min Hee Jin’s claims that she had refused HYBE’s suggestion to bulk buy NewJeans’ albums. According to Min Hee Jin’s lawyers, the tactic was suggested to Min Hee Jin by HYBE, and Min Hee Jin’s refusal sparked conflict. In a statement, Min Hee Jin blasted HYBE for failing to take social responsibility as the CEO of an entertainment company and claimed that the company’s “Immoral actions” were hurting NewJeans.

HYBE has since released a previous email sent to Min Hee Jin in which it writes that HYBE does not participate in bulk buying and asks her to refrain from making unfounded accusations.

6. HYBE Is Negotiating A Settlement To NewJeans’ Producers For LE SSERAFIM And ILLIT’s Plagiarism

News outlets reported that foreign producers working with ADOR are currently in discussions with HYBE to compensate for plagiarism committed by LE SSERAFIM and ILLIT.

7. HYBE Tried To Sabotage NewJeans Sponsorship With Famous Luxury Brand, Favored Another Group Over NewJeans

During the trial, it was reported that HYBE had told different lies to ADOR and a famous designer house over its sponsorship. According to ADOR, HYBE’s internal Brand Synergy Team had been caught favoring an artist/group over NewJeans, and only then was ADOR able to close the deal.

8. HYBE Accused Of Favoring Other Artists Over NewJeans

Throughout the hearing ADOR maintained its claim that HYBE favored artists over NewJeans. ADOR provided examples of HYBE’s favoritism towards groups such as LE SSERAFIM and ILLIT, including ILLIT’s upcoming appearance on JTBC’s Knowing Bros on the same week as NewJeans’ upcoming album.

9. Who Are NewJeans Supporting?

ADOR revealed in court that NewJeans members have stated that they wanted to be with Min Hee Jin. The members are also reportedly frightened by the prospect of the long hiatus planned by HYBE. You can read more about the members’ thoughts in the link below.

NewJeans Members Rally Behind ADOR’s Min Hee Jin In First Day Of HYBE Trial