Request for Right of Reply Regarding Lawyer Lee Hyun-gon's Statement Coverage
Adore, a label under HYBE, has issued a statement in response to a report that cited personal remarks made by a legal professional criticizing HYBE.
Previously, attorney Lee Hyun-gon of Saeol Law Office posted on his social media (SNS) that "(HYBE) does not follow the law under the pretext of being in a state of dispute and acts as they please," describing it as "a thug-like tactic mainly seen in pre-sale commercial complexes or redevelopment associations." He added, "I do not look favorably upon the use of the law in this manner." Some media outlets subsequently quoted this post in their coverage of the internal conflict between HYBE and Min Hee-jin.
In response, Adore stated on its official website on the 13th that it "requested the publication of a rebuttal," explaining that "this is an exercise of the right to reply to protect corporate value and artist IP (intellectual property)." The statement further clarified, "The board of directors' replacement of the CEO was based on the inherent authority granted to the board," and "the board can execute a CEO replacement at any time through its own resolution based on managerial judgment."
Adore expressed regret "that only the remarks of a specific legal professional were used to criticize one party in the dispute without contacting us for inquiries or guaranteeing the right to reply." Regarding the attorney, they noted that he "served as the legal representative who submitted a letter of support on behalf of former CEO Min Hee-jin during the provisional injunction lawsuit," and urged, "for fair and impartial reporting, we request that the right to reply be guaranteed when covering matters related to our company."
Recently, HYBE dismissed Min Hee-jin from her position as CEO of Adore and appointed Kim Ju-young, an internal director, as the new CEO. Adore stated, "Even if former CEO Min steps down, she will continue to handle NewJeans' producing work and maintain her position as an internal director at Adore." However, Min Hee-jin contested this, claiming she received a unilateral dismissal notice from the company and filed a provisional injunction with the court to be reinstated as an internal director of Adore.
Subsequently, members of the group NewJeans also appeared in a live broadcast demanding Min's return. On the 11th, NewJeans requested, "Please return Adore, where management and producing are integrated under CEO Min Hee-jin," setting a deadline of the 25th of this month. Following this, HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang reportedly stated at the HYBE shareholders' meeting on the 12th, "It will take time, but we are responding calmly and according to principles."
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