NewJeans are at the center of former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin’s proposal to end her ongoing legal dispute with HYBE. On February 25, 2026, the creative executive held a press conference at the Kyowon Challenge Hall in Gwancheol-dong, Seoul. At the conference, she announced that she would forego the approximately 17.5 million USD she could receive after winning her financial trial against HYBE. Instead, Min explained that there are values more important than money and urged HYBE to withdraw all civil and criminal lawsuits against her, and urged the agency to return NewJeans to the stage for the growth of KPop. Read her full statement here:
Full text of the press conference statement by Min Hee-jin:
Hello. This is Min Hee-jin.
First of all, I would like to express my deep respect and gratitude to the court for carefully examining the essence of this case over a long period of time and clearly confirming the truth… pic.twitter.com/fm2IAMXCZZ
— 1tokki (@juantokki) February 25, 2026
HYBE responded shortly after the press conference, saying it “has no position” on Min’s proposal. The company’s statement suggests it could be following a cautious approach rather than immediate acceptance. From HYBE’s perspective, resolving the dispute may require clear legal conclusions to determine responsibility and prevent similar conflicts in the future. Subsidiaries such as Belift Lab, which manages ILLIT, and Source Music, home to LE SSERAFIM, could also seek formal court judgments to protect their interests.
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HYBE responds to Min Heejin’s offer to drop lawsuits:
— “We have no position on this matter.”https://t.co/2G2Krjl4Cf pic.twitter.com/cm3lm9ejy0
— Kpop Charts (@kchartsmaster) February 25, 2026
The conflict between Min Hee Jin and HYBE began in April 2024 over management control of ADOR. HYBE has claimed that Min attempted to privatize ADOR and NewJeans while pushing for independence from the parent company. The company accused her of tampering and management takeover. However, the court sided with Min Hee Jin and stated that HYBE did not have solid evidence to support their claims. This legal battle also involved NewJeans, who sought to break free from their contracts with HYBE’s ADOR. However, it was stated in late 2025 that their contracts remain valid with the company, and they could not exit the agency.
