Billboard, Variety and Other US Music Media Reports
AFP News Agency: "NewJeans is HYBE's Greatest Success"
As tensions escalate between HYBE and Min Hee-jin, CEO of ADOR, major foreign media outlets have also reported on the situation in detail.
On the 25th (local time), American music media Billboard reported, "HYBE has filed a police complaint against Min Hee-jin, the CEO leading NewJeans' label, and Min held a tearful press conference," explaining, "Despite the imminent release of NewJeans' new single, they are clashing, claiming their actions are for the sake of NewJeans."
Billboard also revealed an interview conducted with Min Hee-jin shortly after NewJeans debuted in 2022. According to the report, Min emphasized in the interview, "ADOR is a label that started with guaranteed autonomy and has no connection with HYBE's management." It was also reported that during the press conference, Min mentioned NewJeans members Hanni and Haerin, saying they supported her.
The current status of NewJeans was also introduced. Billboard stated, "Two NewJeans members appeared in public despite the ongoing power struggle within K-pop," mentioning that NewJeans member Minji recently attended a Chanel pop-up store event in Seoul, and Danielle participated in several fashion events. The report added, "None of them have publicly commented on the current issues."
On the 24th (local time), American pop culture magazine Variety described the conflict between HYBE and Min Hee-jin as a "K-Pop Clash," reporting, "A giant in the Korean K-pop scene has launched an audit into the independence attempt of its subsidiary's management."
Variety also disclosed an email statement sent by HYBE. In the email, HYBE announced, "HYBE has exercised its audit rights over Min Hee-jin and the top management of its subsidiary label ADOR, requested the convening of a shareholders' meeting, and sent an official letter requesting Min's resignation."
French AFP news agency reported the previous day, "The Korean company behind the K-pop sensation BTS has filed a complaint against the head of its subsidiary." It added HYBE's claim of having "secured physical evidence" regarding Min Hee-jin's control over management and Min's assertion at the press conference that she "is not interested in management rights."
AFP also introduced Min as "one of the producers who joined the industry in the early 2000s and achieved great success in K-pop, working with stars such as Girls' Generation, EXO, and SHINee." It further evaluated, "NewJeans, produced by Min, is one of HYBE's most successful K-pop groups alongside BTS, whose members are all currently serving in the military."
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