"Heard Real Korean Swearing at the Press Conference"... Japan Also Surprised by Min Hee-jin's Remarks

Surge of Interest in 'Sudden Profanity' During Press Conference

The emergency press conference held by Min Hee-jin, CEO of Adore, a label under HYBE, shook even Japan. During the conference, Min's unexpected outburst of profanity drew the attention of Japanese netizens.

On the 25th (local time), social networking services (SNS) such as Japan's X were filled with impressions and opinions about Min's press conference. What particularly caught the attention of local netizens was Min's "rough language." During the conference, Min unleashed sharp remarks such as "gaejeossi-deul" (rude term for middle-aged men) and "siXXkki-deul-i neomu manhda" (a strong Korean curse phrase).

Min Hee-jin, CEO of ADOR, is making a statement on the 25th at the Korea Conference Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, regarding the conflict with the parent company HYBE. Earlier, HYBE announced the results of an interim audit on ADOR's management, including CEO Min Hee-jin, and stated that they would file charges against them for breach of duty and other allegations. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Japanese netizens listening to the broadcast seemed to already understand the meaning of the profanity Min used. Comments included, "It's the first time seeing curses from Korean movies in real life," "Isn't that the kind of curse often heard in gangster movies?" "I saw 'siXX seX' (Japanese version of Korean curse) at a Korean press conference," and "The original curses have a different level," expressing admiration.

On that day, keywords related to Min, HYBE, the girl group NewJeans, and Adore flooded the real-time trends on Japanese SNS. This is interpreted as meaning that the Japanese were also closely watching Min's press conference with interest.

Meanwhile, Min held the press conference in the afternoon at the Korea Conference Center on Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu. She stated, "It is not that I betrayed HYBE, but HYBE betrayed me," and called it "a frame to exploit and suppress me after sucking me dry." Regarding HYBE's allegations of 'management rights takeover,' she flatly denied, saying, "There was no plan, intention, or execution of a management rights coup."

Earlier, HYBE raised suspicions that Min and some of Adore's executives tried to take Adore's management rights and NewJeans members out from under HYBE. HYBE launched a surprise audit on the 22nd and announced the interim audit results on the 25th, stating they would file charges against Min.

HYBE presented KakaoTalk conversations between Min and Adore's vice president A as evidence of the management rights takeover. However, Min said, "This cannot be considered embezzlement; I am only guilty of doing my job well."

On the contrary, she said, "HYBE, which is trying to oust me, a subsidiary president who delivers good results, is the one committing embezzlement," and added, "From my perspective, this whole situation feels like a farcical tragedy."