Min Hee-jin, current Ooak Records CEO and the former head of Ador who created the girl group NewJeans, has proposed that Hybe drop all ongoing civil and criminal litigation and bring their dispute to a close.
In return, she offered to forgo the 25.6 billion won ($17.9 million) put option payment she is set to receive following her recent court victory against Hybe, framing the offer as an effort to resolve the protracted conflict.
When contacted by The Korea Herald, Hybe declined to comment on Min’s proposal, adding that it plans to proceed with the appeal it filed on Feb. 19 against the court’s ruling in the option dispute.
Speaking at a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday, Min said her proposal includes the immediate termination of all lawsuits connected to the dispute, including cases involving NewJeans members, former Ador employees, external partners and any complaints filed in relation to the conflict.
Min said her decision to relinquish the court-ordered payment was driven primarily by concern for NewJeans’ members, arguing that prolonged litigation has placed artists at the center of a conflict between corporate parties.
“I can no longer watch a reality in which the five members (of NewJeans) who should be happily on stage must instead see some on stage and another in court,” she said, in reference to ex-NewJeans member Danielle, who faces a multimillion-dollar damages suit filed by Hybe involving allegations of unauthorized activities and reputational harm. “No one will be able to look at this situation happily, and the members performing on stage would also suffer.”
Min also stated that ending the prolonged legal battle would “help prevent further harm to artists and the industry,” adding that there are things more valuable to her than money.
“To me, 25.6 billion won is not greater than the value of restoring a healthy K-pop ecosystem and the peaceful daily lives of artists,” said Min.
Min also asked Hybe to “create an environment where all five members of NewJeans can come together and freely pursue their dreams.” Danielle was removed from NewJeans in late December 2025 after Ador announced the termination of her exclusive contract.
Min also urged Hybe and its chairman Bang Si-hyuk to shift their focus “from the courtroom to the stage of creation,” adding that she intends to put Ador behind her and move forward in her role as the CEO of Ooak Records.
lee.jungjoo@heraldcorp.com
