ADOR, the label managing the hit girl group NewJeans, announced on August 20 that Vice President Lee Do Kyung has been appointed as its new CEO. Lee takes over from Kim Ju Young, who had previously served as CEO after stepping in following Min Hee Jin’s departure last August.
The appointment comes as part of ADOR’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its operational structure and clearly separate management from production.
When Kim Ju Young took the helm, the goal was to normalize the label’s management and human resources processes. Assuming those objectives have been achieved, Lee Do Kyung’s expertise in label operations will further enhance support for artists and drive new business initiatives.
ADOR stated that Lee’s appointment is intended to reinforce “the label’s role in managing artist activities.” This includes album production and concert organization. The agency, under its new CEO, plans to build a flexible system that both supports its artists and drives new business growth.
Lee Do Kyung became part of HYBE, formerly BigHit Entertainment, in 2019. She contributed to the company’s corporate vision and strategic planning. In 2022, she became Vice President of HYBE’s IPX division, which develops businesses around artists’ intellectual property.
In her role, she managed merchandise, pop-up stores, and lightstick operations for all artists under HYBE Music Group. She also planned the large-scale collaborative project ‘THE CITY,’ which incorporated artist IP across entire cities to create immersive fan experiences.
Under her leadership, ADOR expects to establish an immediate support system and an advanced human resource structure for its artists. The label, home to NewJeans, also recently launched the “2025 ADOR Boys Global Audition” in June to recruit members for a new boy group. The company is currently preparing to debut new talent.
However, Do Kyung’s appointment comes amid tensions between ADOR and NewJeans over the group’s exclusive contract. A mediation session regarding the ongoing dispute was held on August 14 at the 41st Civil Agreement Division of the Seoul Central District Court.
Reports indicate the first session failed to produce an agreement, though the details remain private. NewJeans has reportedly requested the reinstatement of former CEO Min Hee Jin as a condition for resolving the conflict. ADOR’s decision to appoint Lee contradicts that demand, which highlights ongoing differences between the two sides.
The court has scheduled a follow-up mediation hearing for September 11. If the parties cannot resolve, the case will proceed to a sentencing hearing set for October 30.
As Lee Do Kyung now leads ADOR, the label will focus on both expanding its business initiatives and supporting its artists’ creative and performance activities. ADOR will continue managing NewJeans while preparing for new projects, including the upcoming boy group.
