The ongoing controversy between NJZ, former CEO Min Hee Jin, and ADOR/HYBE over management. It’s one of the most talked controversy in the K-pop industry. The recent development around the legal dispute was that text messages between Min Hee Jin and Danielle’s mother were released – Danielle was one of the NewJeans members.
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What’s the controversy?
On February 23, Dispatch released a lengthy report detailing Min Hee Jin’s plan for NewJeans’ demise. In the chats, Dainelle’s mother suggested an idea of putting “psychological pressure” on ADOR as a narrative in legal strategy. The text revealed a dark reality. The conversation between Dainelle’s mother and Min Hee Jin shows how both of them are trying to build a narrative that ” NewJeans and ADOR cannot work together.”
Thoughts on the new article about Min Hee-jin and the NewJeans situation?
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Danielle’s mother: Can’t the members refuse to attend ADOR due to psychological pressure? If the members officially request that ComplexCon block ADOR from attending, and ComplexCon accepts, it would serve as evidence that the members perceive ADOR as a source of psychological pressure. I think it would give us an advantage for the main case.
Min Hee Jin: Yes. I will post it on the NJZ PR account.
Danielle’s mother: The article stated that ADOR would also be attending, so we can state that the members responded by expressing concern about how they might interfere and slander them.
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Min Hee Jin: Please write something short about this, and I will edit it.
The idea exchange between the two shows how they are trying to craft a narrative to support legal or public relations strategies over the contracts and group direction. Min Hee Jin is trying to overturn the court’s injunction on the merits. Before going further, it’s important to clarify that these messages were unverified and shared by an independent news media outlet, “DISPATCH,” which is a private news outlet known for its sensational reporting style, as there is no official statement from either side.
Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin expressed strong indignation and threatened to sue Dispatch after the publication of messages between her and the mother of NewJeans member Danielle.
— Music Map ⓥ (@musicmapv) February 23, 2026
Who would have thought?! Who would have thought… https://t.co/BRExzWDtIb pic.twitter.com/6KpNZfJdrU
What messages between Min Hee Jin and Danielle’s mother show a discussion about:
– Refusing ADOR events due to psychological pressure.
– Statement about the group’s anxiety over ADOR’s interference on social media.
– Lastly, using all these claims to strengthen the case.
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All these messages were widely circulating on Korean and international K-pop news portals. According to the reports and news summaries from Dispatch – news outlet, claimed that MHJ was deeply involved in the NewJeans group, from strategizing their promotions, writing the press conference scripts, to guiding how announcements were made.
Min Hee Jin has publicly responded to the criticizing post made by the news outlets’ dispatch. In her Instagram post, she called Dispatch, reporting a fictional, exaggerated version, even comparing it to a dramatic novel, and urged the news outlet to follow journalistic ethics. She even warned Dispatch that she might take legal action against the outlet.
What’s the case about – Min Hee Jin vs ADOR?
According to the reports of BBC (British Broadcasting Channel), HYBE, the parent organisation of ADOR, the same larger company behind BTS, is going to sue NJZ Danielle, one of her family members, and Min Hee-jin (CEO of ADOR) for $30 million for damaging and breaking the exclusive contract with the agency. Ador stated, “We have determined that it will be difficult for her to continue working with us. Therefore, we have notified her of the termination of her exclusive contract. Furthermore, we plan to hold one family member of Danielle and former CEO Min Hee Jin, who are significantly responsible for causing this dispute and the delayed return of NJZ, legally accountable.”
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Min Hee Jin won the case against HYBE
On 12 February, the 31st Civil Division of the Seoul Central District court held a ruling on the HYBE case against the former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, to confirm the termination of the shareholder agreement and lawsuit filed by the CEO against HYBE, for seeking payment for the stock purchase price related exercise. The court dismissed HYBE’s claim. Seoul Central District Court states that, “HYBE’s claim stands dismissed, and HYBE will bear the legal costs. Further, Min Hee Jin’s exercise of the put option is legitimate, and HYBE must pay about $17.6 million USD.”
Former NewJeans EP Min Hee Jin Wins $18 Million Court Battle Against HYBE
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Frequently Asked Questions
What did the alleged messages between Min Hee Jin and Danielle’s mother discuss?
According to the Dispatch, the media outlet, the messages between Min Hee Jin and Danielle highlight the possibility of framing ADOR as a source of “psychological pressure” to the NJZ group. Dispatch reports claimed that this was the idea to strengthen the case by suggesting that the members of the group were facing mental stress while working with ADOR. However, the authenticity of the full message was not found.
What did the Seoul court rule in Min Hee Jin’s case?
Seoul Central District Court held a ruling on the HYBE case against the former ADOR CEO, Min Hee Jin, to confirm the termination of the shareholder agreement and lawsuit filed by the CEO against HYBE, for seeking payment for the stock purchase price related exercise. The court dismissed HYBE’s claim. Seoul Central District Court states that, “HYBE’s claim stands dismissed, and HYBE will bear the legal costs. Further, Min Hee Jin’s exercise of the put option is legitimate, and HYBE must pay about $17.6 million USD.”
Does this controversy affect NewJeans’ activities?
Yes, this type of legal conflict often affects the group activities due to the uncertainty around management and future activities. For now the group has active between on going disputes, but this legal activities can disrupt and influence the promotions, scheduling and public image. For future, the NewJeans’ activities will depend on future court rulings and potential settlements between the parties involved.
