Hive VS Min Hee-jin... Internal War Round 2 with Lawsuits and Complaints

HYBE, Min Hee-jin Reported to Police for Breach of Trust
Min Hee-jin Responds, "Will Sue for Personal Surveillance"

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@

Hive and Min Hee-jin, CEO of Adore, who had a heated "verbal battle" through expos?s and press conferences over allegations of "hostile takeover of Adore's management rights," are now entering the second round of internal conflict with mutual lawsuits and accusations.

According to industry sources on the 26th, Hive filed a complaint with the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul the day before against CEO Min and Adore Vice President Shin on charges of breach of trust in the course of business.

Hive presented KakaoTalk chat logs as evidence, claiming they contained Min's plan to seize management rights and contacts with investors. Hive alleges that Min instructed the management to "find a way to pressure Hive to sell its shares in Adore," and accordingly, the management specifically discussed methods such as prematurely terminating the exclusive contract with the artist (NewJeans) and invalidating the contract between Adore's CEO and Hive.

In response, Min's side is rebutting, stating that 'conspiracy' does not constitute breach of trust. Lee Sook-mi, legal representative from Sejong Law Firm for Min, said, "Breach of trust is established when an act that damages the company's value is actually committed, but no act that damages such value was found to have been attempted or initiated." She added, "Breach of trust has no preparatory offense. Even a preparatory offense must reach a level where realization is possible to be established."

Hive is initiating an audit of the management of Adore, a subsidiary to which the group NewJeans belongs, leading to conflicts. The photo shows the Hive headquarters in Yongsan. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

Min is also launching a counterattack. First, she plans to file a lawsuit regarding Hive's allegations of her 'shamanistic management.' Previously, Hive issued a press release just before Min's press conference, stating, "We have secured evidence that Min has been coached by a female shaman on major company management matters and has been implementing them." According to chat logs obtained through forensic analysis by Hive, Min consulted the shaman on plans such as establishing a joint venture, stock options, and setting up a new label. Min also discussed the timing of selling her Hive shares with the shaman.

Regarding this, Min rebutted, "She was originally an acquaintance who just happened to be a shaman," and said, "I went to see her because I was seeing a psychiatrist due to Hive, but I couldn't find relief, so I sought her out with that intention." She added, "They (Hive) are the ones who go to see shamans more often. They are the ones performing gut rituals, so they are trying to frame me," and stated, "I will proceed with a lawsuit regarding personal surveillance."

Min also hinted at filing a claim for damages due to the disruption of NewJeans' comeback caused by this incident. She said, "From Adore's perspective, we want to claim damages from Hive," adding, "They even took our PCs and interfered with our work. Why should Adore suffer losses because of Hive?"

The Adore shareholders' meeting planned by Hive is also expected to be left to the court's judgment. When asked the day before whether she would hold the shareholders' meeting, Min said, "There is no plan," meaning she does not intend to pass a resolution to convene the meeting through the board of directors. Previously, Hive requested the board meeting on the 22nd, and the board is scheduled to meet on the 30th of next month. If Adore's board members do not attend and the meeting cannot be held, Hive plans to apply to the court for permission to convene an extraordinary shareholders' meeting.