ADOR’s former CEO, Min Hee-jin, files a criminal complaint against HYBE’s PR managers

Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin has officially filed a criminal complaint against the public relations officers of K-pop company HYBE.

On November 26, Min Hee-jin’s representatives said that the former ADOR CEO had filed a criminal complaint with the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul, accusing two HYBE executives of dereliction of duty towards the ADOR girl group NewJeans.

Accordingly Yonhap News AgencyThe executives named in the complaint are HYBE’s chief communications officer, Park Tae-hee, and a public relations director identified only as Cho. They are part of the agency’s PR team, which reportedly handles communications and promotional activities for the artists under the agency’s sub-labels, including girl group NewJeans.

Min’s representatives claimed in a statement that Park and Cho “not only failed to fulfill their obligations, but also caused significant harm to NewJeans and ADOR by downplaying the group’s achievements.” They added that they hope “appropriate criminal sanctions will be imposed.”

This is the latest in a months-long feud between Min and HYBE, which first came to light in April this year after the agency launched an investigation over suspicions that Min was trying to take control of ADOR. The then-CEO soon followed with statements and press conferences in which, among other things, he accused HYBE of “undermining” the success of NewJeans.

Last week, Min officially resigned from her position as internal director at ADOR and left the agency. In a statement, it said it was terminating its shareholders’ agreement with HYBE and expressed its intention to hold the agency “legally accountable for violations of this agreement.”

NewJeans also reportedly sent a signed content certificate to ADOR earlier this month, requiring the label to “remedy any serious violations of the exclusive agreements within 14 days of receipt.” They also shared plans to “revoke our exclusive contracts” if their demands were not met.