Min Hee-jin willing to give up Rs. 149 crore from HYBE to withdraw all complaints: All about the NewJeans legal attle

Former ADOR CEO and creative director Min Hee-jin has offered to give up 25.6 billion won (around Rs. 149 crore) in exchange for HYBE withdrawing all lawsuits linked to the prolonged legal and public battle surrounding K-pop sensation NewJeans. The dramatic move comes amid one of the biggest corporate and creative disputes in the Korean entertainment industry, involving accusations of corporate sabotage, contract violations, and alleged attempts to control the group’s future.

What did Min Hee-jin offer?

At a press conference in Seoul on February 25, Min Hee-jin said she is willing to forgo the court-awarded payout if HYBE agrees to drop all civil and criminal cases connected to the dispute, including lawsuits involving NewJeans members, their families, ADOR staff, and associated partners.

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“I’m here because there are values I desperately want more than a large sum of money,” she said, adding that the well-being of the NewJeans members motivated her decision.

“Only then will the artistes, their families, and their fans be free from further unnecessary noise,” she said.

This payment stemmed from a recent court ruling that allowed Min to exercise her put option, entitling her to sell her ADOR shares back to HYBE at a pre-agreed price.

What is the HYBE–Min Hee-jin controversy all about?

The dispute traces back to April 2024, when HYBE accused Min Hee-jin of attempting a hostile takeover of ADOR, the subsidiary label behind NewJeans. HYBE claimed Min had violated shareholder agreements and tried to manipulate public opinion to separate ADOR from the parent company.

Min, however, denied the allegations, saying her actions were aimed at protecting creative independence and ethical management. She accused HYBE of interfering in ADOR’s autonomy and undermining NewJeans’ artistic direction.

The battle quickly escalated into multiple lawsuits, police probes, and corporate audits, turning into a full-blown industry crisis.

How are NewJeans involved in the legal war?

NewJeans found themselves caught in the crossfire between HYBE and Min. Several lawsuits and legal filings reportedly referenced the group, their contracts, families, and management structure, raising concerns about their professional stability and mental well-being.

Min has repeatedly said her actions were driven by a desire to protect the group, and her latest offer, giving up a massive financial settlement, is positioned as a step toward ending the legal chaos surrounding the members.

Court rulings and legal developments so far

In February 2026, a Seoul court ruled in Min Hee-jin’s favour, validating her contractual right to claim 25.6 billion won under her shareholder agreement. The court rejected HYBE’s claim that Min had committed serious breaches of trust.

Despite the ruling, HYBE indicated it would pursue appeals and additional legal steps, prolonging the standoff.

Why Min Hee-jin says she’s walking away from the money

Min explained that continuing legal battles would only harm NewJeans and exhaust the public, stating she wants to close this chapter and refocus on creativity.

Min Hee-jin said she “can no longer bear to watch” NewJeans get “torn apart” when its five members “should instead be standing happily on stage”, as per a report on BBC.

Her offer puts significant pressure on HYBE, as refusing could risk public backlash, especially from fans who want stability for NewJeans.

What happens next?

HYBE has yet to officially respond to Min Hee-jin’s proposal. If accepted, it could bring an end to nearly two years of lawsuits, investigations, and corporate warfare, allowing NewJeans to move forward without legal shadows.

Until then, the dispute remains one of the most high-profile legal sagas in K-pop history.