Latest news with #Min
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
NewJeans, Ador remain locked in high-stakes legal battle over exclusive contract
The girl group continues to accuse agency of mismanagement, while Ador says contract termination is baseless and driven by former CEO Min Hee-jin The legal standoff between K-pop girl group NewJeans and its agency Ador continues to escalate, with both sides presenting conflicting arguments over the validity of the group's exclusive contract. The Seoul Central District Court on Thursday held the third hearing in Ador's lawsuit seeking to confirm the enforceability of its contract with the five-member group. The NewJeans members, who attempted to terminate their contracts unilaterally in November, were not present in court; only their legal representatives attended. NewJeans' attorneys attributed the dispute to a now-concluded internal audit of former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin, which was initiated by parent company Hybe in May 2024. They argued that the audit — and Hybe's subsequent attempt to remove Min — were based on unfounded suspicions. On July 18, police cleared Min of criminal breach of trust allegations filed by Hybe last year; Hybe plans to appeal. The group's legal team further claimed that Ador failed to meet fundamental management responsibilities, alleging that this breach justified the artists' attempt to sever ties. Ador rejected the accusations, asserting that the reasons for contract termination have shifted over time and appear to have been constructed by NewJeans and their legal team retroactively. 'This is an unreasonable attempt to invalidate the contracts after the fact,' said a lawyer for Ador. The agency emphasized its financial investment in NewJeans, citing over 21 billion won ($15.3 million) spent on the group's development and debut. This included 7 billion won for the group's debut album and 2 billion won for music videos. 'Thanks to this support, NewJeans achieved explosive success — something even the court has acknowledged,' Ador's legal representative said. 'Yet despite this, the group attempted to unilaterally cancel its contracts just two years after its debut. Such a move cannot be permitted.' Ador also claimed that Min was the driving force behind the group's attempted departure. According to the agency's attorney, private messages exchanged between Min and former Ador executives revealed that she had been planning to 'take' NewJeans as early as three years ago. The messages allegedly outlined strategies for terminating the exclusive contract, including orchestrating plagiarism accusations against another Hybe-affiliated girl group, Illit, and manipulating media narratives. The agency also alleged that the legal notice to terminate the contract was drafted by Min's legal representatives, further pointing to her involvement. Responding to accusations of mismanagement, Ador maintained it had upheld its responsibilities and noted that each member had already received over 5 billion won in earnings. 'The agency is still preparing for the group's comeback,' Ador said. 'Our staff are waiting for the day they return.'
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
ILLIT drags BTS, Jennie, and aespa to refute Min Hee Jin's accusations of copying NewJeans
On July 15, former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin walked free after the court tossed out HYBE's breach of trust accusation, citing 'no criminal evidence.' After a year-long investigation, Seoul's Yongsan Police announced a non-prosecution decision, to which the Bang Si Hyuk-led company fired back with an objection. With NewJeans still caught in the ADOR vs HYBE crossfire, Min's next move was to call out ILLIT. She accused the rookie group of stealing NewJeans' hanbok concept, not just borrowing it, but lifting the look, the mood, and even the moves. BELIFT LAB, ILLIT's agency, has since responded. Also read: NewJeans makes final call on HYBE settlement after reading fans' letters: ADOR issues statement ILLIT, managed by BELIFT LAB (also under HYBE), is a 5th-gen girl group with Yunah, Minju, Moka, Wonhee, and Iroha. The band was formed through the survival show R U Next? and officially debuted earlier this year. During the third court hearing, Min Hee Jin, the former creative force behind NewJeans, told the judge, 'From the styling to the lighting, props, set design, gaze direction of the members, and even the way the photos were framed, ILLIT's hanbok photoshoot looks just like NewJeans'' (via KBIZoom). She also pointed out how the group copied debut strategy, citing NewJeans' first appearance at a Chanel event, and how ILLIT rolled out at a high-profile fashion show soon after. Her legal team claimed even the makeup, hair, and outfits felt lifted, pointing to fans' reactions online, with comments like 'Isn't this NewJeans?' and 'I thought I was looking at a NewJeans update.' Min even flagged choreography, saying ILLIT borrowed sequences from NewJeans' tracks like Attention and Ditto. Also read: Explained: Controversy and drama at Hybe, the K-pop company behind BTS BELIFT Lab fought back the accusations, telling the court that ILLIT's concept is nothing like NewJeans'. They argued that NewJeans leans into a retro Y2K aesthetic with no fixed storyline, while ILLIT follows a 'fantasy princess meets magical girl' theme with its own narrative and world-building. They also pointed out that ILLIT debuted through the reality show R U Next?, where fans saw the journey from day one. In contrast, NewJeans went for a surprise drop, no teasers, no names, just a music video out of the blue, which they called a completely different market strategy. On the hanbok controversy, the agency pushed back hard, saying plenty of K-pop idols have done hanbok shoots in palace backdrops and Min didn't invent the look. 'This claim is baseless and ignores the genre's visual traditions,' they said. As for the choreography, BELIFT Lab argued that moves like hair whips, arm rolls, and sitting poses are standard across K-pop. They cited acts like BTS, Jennie, aespa, G-Dragon, IVE, and ITZY. Letting one group claim ownership over these moves, they warned, would kill creativity and crush fair competition in the industry. While the two seemingly innocent bands are being dragged into the mess, what's really baffling fans is that they've got nothing to do with it. Meanwhile, HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk is now under the scanner, with Korea's financial watchdogs investigating him for allegedly raking in illegal profits during HYBE's 2020 IPO. He skipped out on speaking at a recent hearing, and now it's all going to the prosecutors.
Straits Times
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
K-pop producer Min Hee-jin cleared of breach of trust allegation filed by Hybe
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Ms Min Hee-jin is the former chief executive of Ador, the music label of K-pop girl group NewJeans. SEOUL – Ms Min Hee-jin, the former South Korean producer behind K-pop girl group NewJeans, has been cleared of charges of breach of trust filed by entertainment company Hybe. The 45-year-old is the former chief executive of Ador, the music label of NewJeans and a subsidiary of Hybe. Ms Min's legal team said on July 15 that the South Korean police found no evidence of illegal conduct on her part after an investigation of more than a year. As a result, the criminal complaint filed by Hybe was dismissed without sending the case to the prosecution. Hybe filed a complaint on April 26, 2024, accusing Ms Min and Ador executives of attempting to seize control of the company. The complaint was based on Kakao Talk messages which purportedly suggest a plan to take over management rights. Ms Min's side countered that such a takeover was structurally impossible, as Hybe holds an 80 per cent stake in Ador. They also argued that there was no attempt to harm the company's value or commit any act constituting a breach of trust. In August 2024, Ador's board appointed its internal director Kim Ju-young as the new chief executive. Ms Min stepped down from the chief executive post and officially resigned as an internal director on Nov 20, 2024. NewJeans – which comprise Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein – announced eight days later on Nov 28 that they would unilaterally terminate their contracts with Ador. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore July BTO launch to have over 4,600 balance flats, 2 BTO projects with under than 3-year wait Singapore Baby died after mum took abortion pills and gave birth in toilet; coroner records an open verdict Singapore Acute psychiatry services to be expanded across all healthcare clusters: MOH Singapore Alleged Toa Payoh cat killer and abuser handed new charge of torturing sixth cat Singapore 'Kpods broke our marriage, shattered our children': Woman on husband's vape addiction Singapore Asia-Pacific will need over 230k new pilots, 250k aircraft maintenance technicians by 2042: ICAO chief Business Tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter Kuok Hui Kwong appointed CEO of Shangri-La Asia Multimedia Telling the Singapore story for 180 years Hybe said on July 15 that it would file an appeal with the prosecution against the police decision. 'After the police investigation, new developments occurred, including NewJeans members declaring their intent to terminate their contracts,' Hybe said. 'In related court proceedings, multiple new pieces of evidence were submitted and, based on these, the court regarded Min's actions as very serious.' The company also said that the police had previously dismissed complaints filed by Ms Min in which she accused five Hybe executives of obstruction of business and defamation. Although she has been cleared of the breach of trust charge, she still faces civil litigation by Hybe subsidiaries Source Music and Belift Lab. Seoul Western District Court is scheduled to hold a third hearing on July 18 for two lawsuits filed by the labels seeking compensation for damages. Source Music, home to K-pop girl group Le Sserafim, filed a 500 million won (S$463,000) suit against Ms Min. She had claimed at a press conference in April 2024 that 'Hybe prevented NewJeans from being promoted until after Le Sserafim's debut', implying the girl group had benefited from favouritism. Belift Lab, which manages K-pop girl group Illit, also filed a lawsuit for two billion won. It alleged that Ms Min's public statement accusing Illit of 'copying NewJeans' caused them severe reputational damage. Ms Min is also entangled in a separate legal battle with Hybe over a put-option dispute worth approximately 26 billion won. In November 2024, she notified Hybe of her intent to exercise her put option, which would entitle her to receive 26 billion won. However, Hybe claimed that her rights to the put option were no longer valid, as the shareholder agreement was terminated in July 2024. The court is expected to review the legal validity of the put option alongside Hybe's separate lawsuit seeking confirmation of the shareholder agreement's termination. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Korea Herald
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Special counsel imposes fresh travel ban on ex-first lady: sources
A special counsel team has imposed a fresh travel ban on former first lady Kim Keon Hee as part of its probe into corruption allegations surrounding her, judicial sources said Wednesday. The investigation team, led by special prosecutor Min Joong-ki, made the move after it received the case last month from the prosecution, which had already prohibited Kim from leaving the country, according to the sources. The investigation into the former first lady, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, centers on 16 allegations, including her alleged involvement in a stock price manipulation scheme, acceptance of a luxury bag and suspected interference in election nominations. Min's team launched an official probe into the case Wednesday, holding a signboard-unveiling ceremony at its office in central Seoul. It plans to take over case records on the alleged influence-peddling case related to election nominations at the main opposition People Power Party from the police Thursday. Earlier in the day, another special counsel, led by special prosecutor Lee Myeong-hyeon, opened an official investigation into suspicions the then government, including Yoon, tried to cover up the truth behind the death of a Marine during a search for torrential rain victims in July 2023. By law, the special counsel probe into Kim can last up to 110 days, including 20 days of preparation that have already lapsed, and be extended twice by 30 days each time. The investigation into the Marine's death can last up to 80 days, including 20 days of preparation, and be extended to up to 140 days. "We will conduct all investigations in a manner that isn't excessive or biased," Min said at the ceremony at his office. "We will do our best to provide proper answers to various suspicions by combining our strengths and pooling our wisdom." "We will do our best to thoroughly determine the actual truth," Lee said at the ceremony at his office. Together with another special counsel team led by Cho Eun-suk, which has already begun its investigation into Yoon's failed martial law bid, the three teams were appointed by President Lee Jae Myung following his inauguration last month. (Yonhap)\
Local Sweden
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Local Sweden
How many Swedish citizenship applicants have been called to in-person ID checks?
Just over 2,000 letters have so far been sent out to Swedish citizenship applicants, inviting them to book a mandatory in-person identity check at the Migration Agency. Advertisement The ID checks are part of Sweden's new security measures for citizenship applications, which were rolled out by the Migration Agency in April on the government's request. But because the routines for the appointments hadn't yet been set up by the time the new security checks came into effect, Sweden went almost two months without the agency being able to approve any citizenship through naturalisation cases at all. In late May they finally got under way, and so far just over 2,000 appointment letters have been sent out to applicants, a Migration Agency spokesperson told The Local. 'They are being sent out on a daily basis,' he said. The letters, seen by The Local, include information on how to book an appointment through the 'Min Sida' page on the Migration Agency's website, as well as details of which documents the applicant should bring to the appointment. TAKE A CLOSER LOOK: What's in the appointment letter for Swedish citizenship? Applicants have eight weeks from the date the letter is sent to book an appointment or contact the Migration Agency, otherwise they risk their application being denied. Advertisement The letter is sent out by post once an applicant reaches the final stages of their citizenship application. The booking page is currently open to everyone, but only those who have received the letter inviting them to book a time slot should do so. The extra security checks, which also include applicants being sent an 11-page questionnaire with additional security questions, is the result of an order from the government and its far-right Sweden Democrat allies in January for the Migration Agency to take "forceful measures" to "as far as possible" prevent people who pose a threat to security or use a fake identity from being granted citizenship. Experts had previously guessed that security checks would be tightened as a pretext of slowing down the awarding of new citizenships until stricter rules are in place in 2026 – a slowdown strongly hinted at by the government in an opinion piece in the DN newspaper in November. Sweden's Migration Minister, Johan Forssell, later denied that the underlying intention was to slow down citizenship applications, telling the TT news agency that the point was only "to prevent people who pose a threat to security from being granted Swedish citizenship". Advertisement However, the extra checks are still expected to cause delays. In October 2024, the agency predicted that it would conclude 87,000 applications each year in 2025 and 2026, thanks to increased staff at the agency – a first step towards reducing the heavily criticised long waiting times for Swedish citizenship. But the new security checks forced the agency in April to lower its previous estimate by more than a quarter: to 64,000 concluded citizenship cases in 2025 and 65,000 in 2026. According to the Migration Agency, 75 percent of recently concluded cases involving adults received a decision within 24 months.
