NewJeans Left to Fight Alone While Min Hee-jin Stays Silent Amid Legal Battles
The public dispute between NewJeans and Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of ADOR, continues to unfold in courtrooms and headlines—but now with an unexpected twist: NewJeans is taking the lead while Min Hee-jin maintains a stark silence.
NewJeans Assume the Frontline
The battle between Min Hee-jin and NewJeans against ADOR and HYBE began in April 2024, when Min Hee-jin was accused of attempting a takeover of ADOR’s management. Though Min officially left ADOR in November 2024 after rejecting offers to stay as a director and producer, the legal battles between her and HYBE are only just beginning. Multiple lawsuits, including multi-billion won damage claims filed by affiliates like BELIFT LAB and Source Music, are still in the early stages.
Amid this, the NewJeans members made a bold move. Following Min’s resignation, they declared their departure from ADOR, launched new social media accounts, and began operating under new branding. ADOR retaliated with a court injunction to halt their independent activities—an injunction that was temporarily granted. The group is now in the process of filing an objection.
During their March 23 performance at ComplexCon in Hong Kong, the members shocked fans by announcing what may be their final performance “for a while.” They said, “This wasn’t an easy decision, but one we had to make. We will comply with the court’s ruling and stop all activities.”
This follows the Seoul Central District Court’s decision to grant an injunction requested by ADOR, barring the group from independently signing advertising deals or continuing promotions without the label’s involvement. This effectively forces NewJeans to pause their activities until the final court decision.
However, what raised even more eyebrows was the group’s unilateral move. Despite seemingly respecting the court’s decision, NewJeans submitted an objection on March 21, refused to meet with ADOR staff in Hong Kong, and even sold “NJZ” branded merch backstage under a new group name. ADOR later released a statement expressing regret, saying, “We hope to speak with the artists soon and discuss the future.”
During a court hearing last month, NewJeans members appeared in person despite not being obligated to attend. They emphasized their bond with Min, declaring, “NewJeans isn’t five—it’s six,” underscoring that they see themselves as inseparable from their former CEO.
Netizens Call Out Min Hee-jin
While ADOR and HYBE remain entangled in legal disputes, the public sentiment has noticeably turned — against Min Hee-jin. In particular, it was pointed out that while NewJeans has publicly stood up for her, Min has remained silent. Beyond a brief statement announcing plans to appeal a labor ruling related to workplace harassment, she has refrained from media appearances or personal statements in 2025.
This marks a dramatic shift from her previous approach. In 2023, Min held press conferences, issued statements via social media, and even took part in fashion shoots. Her high-profile presence helped rally public support for both herself and the group—an effort that has now stopped entirely.
Online communities are flooded with comments like:
- “She dragged the members into her fight with HYBE, and now where is she?”
- “It feels like she’s using NewJeans as a shield.”
- “No one drags their family into a war.”
- “From the beginning, calling herself their ‘mother’ and creating an excessive sense of shared destiny was the problem.”
- “NewJeans needs to decide, do they want to stay with their fans or with Min Hee-jin?”
Additionally, the growing perception that NewJeans is being left to shoulder the public and legal burden alone has sparked criticism of Min from some fans. Some have described the group as “young girls forced into the role of head of household,” suggesting the group is now enduring public scrutiny and legal pressure on behalf of their former CEO.
Recently, fans even sent protest trucks to HYBE, with messages like:
- “If adults truly care about NewJeans, don’t put them in danger.”
- “You said there were six members, but only five carry the burden of penalties.”
- “Adults around NewJeans, stop the gaslighting.”
- “An unwinnable fight, astronomical penalties, wake up!”
Moreover, many feel that Min Hee-jin’s claims against HYBE lack convincing evidence, with alleged manipulation and misleading narratives now being dissected by both fans and legal experts. Less than a year ago, Min Hee-jin was hailed as the visionary behind NewJeans, earning them the title of “Top of K-Hip.” Now, only NewJeans remains, having positioned themselves as “revolutionaries,” while Min Hee-jin has seemingly faded into the background.
At the same time, many argue that if Min Hee-jin she were to step forward at this moment, it would only confirm that she was the mastermind behind pulling the members away from ADOR. It would also be seen as an admission of the “tampering” accusations that have followed her for months.