New details have emerged in the ongoing legal battle between HYBE and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin. It shed light on long-rumored claims involving BANA Entertainment and the girl group NewJeans.
During a court hearing held on December 18 at the Seoul Central District Court, Min Hee Jin confirmed that the CEO of BANA Entertainment, Kim Ki Hyeon, was her former boyfriend. Kim is a music producer who led BANA, the agency rumored to have been in contact with NewJeans members during their dispute with ADOR.
HYBE Questions Motive Behind BANA Relationship
At the hearing, HYBE questioned whether Min intended to use BANA Entertainment as a way to bypass the noncompete clause in her shareholder contract. HYBE suggested that BANA could have served as a future base if NewJeans left ADOR before their contracts expired.
The former ADOR CEO firmly denied the claim. She said she never planned to use BANA to escape contractual restrictions and described Kim Ki Hyeon as a highly capable producer who worked on all of NewJeans’ music. When asked about their personal relationship, Min Hee Jin stated that they had already broken up before she began working on the NewJeans project.
Allegations of Preferential Treatment and Financial Benefits
HYBE also raised concerns about the financial relationship between ADOR and BANA Entertainment. According to court disclosures, ADOR paid BANA a monthly service fee of around 33 million won (around $22,355) along with additional personnel costs. BANA also received 5% percent of NewJeans’ album revenue as an incentive. HYBE argued that this was unusually generous.
The contract was later revised so that part of the incentive, amounting to several hundred million won annually, would be paid directly to Kim Ki Hyeon as an individual. HYBE claimed these terms lacked proper board approval and were influenced by Min Hee Jin’s past romantic relationship with Kim.
Min rejected this interpretation, saying that payments reflected Kim’s contribution. She explained that, as a producer who could not receive standard royalties, he was in a financial blind spot. She also acknowledged promising Kim a portion of the proceeds from her put option on ADOR shares, but described this as a personal decision rather than a corporate one.
Background of the HYBE and Min Hee Jn Legal Conflict
The hearing is part of a lawsuit filed by HYBE seeking court approval for its termination of Min’s shareholder contract. HYBE ended the agreement in July last year, arguing that she attempted to seize management control of ADOR and caused damage to the company.
She was voted out as ADOR’s CEO in August and later stepped down from the board. She then attempted to exercise her put option, which would require HYBE to buy back her shares. HYBE maintains it is not obligated to do so because the contract was already terminated. Min Hee Jin argues the termination was invalid and that she did not violate the agreement.
The hearing held on Thursday was tense, marked by frequent interruptions and sharp exchanges between Min and HYBE’s legal team. The judge intervened multiple times as both sides clashed over questioning methods and interpretations of evidence.
The court has not yet ruled on the validity of the contract termination or Min’s put option. Additional hearings are scheduled, and the outcome will determine the final legal and financial separation between HYBE and the former executive.
Meanwhile, Haerin and Hanni of NewJeans have returned to ADOR after almost a year-long battle, whereas other members have expressed their intention to resume activities.
