Min Hee-jin Surrenders $18M Settlement to End NewJeans Legal Battle
Min Hee-jin, the former chief of ADOR who built NewJeans into one of K-pop's biggest groups, is willing to walk away from an $18 million court victory if it means stopping the legal warfare engulfing the five-member group.
At a Seoul press conference, the ex-ADOR executive revealed she would forfeit a 25.6 billion won payout that a court awarded her in February to settle her shareholder dispute with HYBE. The condition: HYBE must withdraw all lawsuits targeting NewJeans members.
"I have decided to exchange 25.6 billion won for another value," Min said publicly. "The reason is the NewJeans members." She continued, noting she "can no longer bear to watch" the group "torn apart" when all five should "instead be standing happily on stage."
The underlying conflict traces back to February 12, when Seoul Central District Court's Civil Agreement Division 31 ruled in Min's favor regarding her put option—essentially her contractual right to sell her 20% ADOR stake back to parent company HYBE. HYBE had contested the payout, claiming Min breached their shareholders' agreement by allegedly pushing for ADOR's independence from the company and attempting to take NewJeans along. The court disagreed, determining her actions alone didn't invalidate the put option.
HYBE immediately appealed. On February 25, the court froze the payout pending the appeal outcome, though it did dismiss HYBE's separate legal claim seeking confirmation that their shareholders' agreement was terminated.
The situation spiraled after Min was removed from her ADOR position in late 2024 under allegations she was orchestrating a takeover. She's denied these claims. NewJeans members, viewing Min as a mentor figure, stood by her and attempted contract exits—moves that triggered multiple legal responses from ADOR.
In December, ADOR sued former NewJeans member Danielle, a family member of hers, and Min Hee-jin collectively, demanding 43.1 billion won in damages. ADOR terminated Danielle's contract that same month. Three remaining members—Hanni, Haerin, and Hyein—eventually returned to ADOR under negotiated terms, while Minji continues working through her own arrangement with the label.
Min's financial sacrifice represents an unusual gambit in the dispute. Whether HYBE accepts her offer remains unclear, but it signals her priority: reuniting NewJeans without the legal entanglements that have shadowed the group's momentum.
Rachel Huang covers the business side of music, from streaming data to label deals. She holds a degree in economics and has a weakness for deep-cut B-sides.