Park Ji-won, CEO of HYBE, stated regarding the allegations of Min Hee-jin, CEO of ADOR, attempting to seize the company, "If the facts are further clarified through the audit, the company will take clear measures against the responsible parties."
On the 23rd, Park emphasized this in an internal announcement email, saying, "This matter clearly reveals an attempt to seize the company."
He added, "We have identified that the issues in question were planned in advance, regardless of the debut timing of ILY:1. Currently, the responsible parties are either not properly cooperating with the company's legitimate audit or refusing to respond, and most of their claims are either untrue or baseless."
Earlier, HYBE launched a surprise audit targeting CEO Min and another executive, Mr. A, the previous morning. The HYBE audit team reportedly viewed Min as attempting to seize management rights and proceeded to recover IT assets and secure face-to-face statements from ADOR's management.
In response, CEO Min countered by stating that the core issue is the "ILLY:1's NewJeans copy controversy." ILY:1 is a five-member girl group organized under Belift Lab, a label under HYBE. ADOR stated in an official position the previous day, "They are trying to dismiss me because I raised the issue that ILY:1 copied NewJeans." Min strongly denied HYBE's claim that the audit was triggered by an "attempt to seize management rights," calling it "absurd."
On the same day, Park also conveyed a message to the employees of ADOR and Belift Lab. He urged ADOR members, "Please do your best in your work for NewJeans' comeback and growth," and added, "HYBE places the highest value on protecting artists and members. Everyone involved should make special efforts to ensure that the artist (NewJeans) is not shaken by this incident."
To the members of Belift Lab, he said, "The company knows better than anyone the efforts you have made for ILY:1's debut. Please do not be upset by untrue claims and focus on the success of ILY:1."
Park promised, "These issues are another trial and error that can occur because we have sincerely pursued the direction we aim for. We will properly conclude this matter and continue to consider and improve what needs to be supplemented for the advancement of multi-labels and what should be implemented for the growth and development of NewJeans and ILY:1."
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