SOURCE MUSIC: "Min Hee-jin Made Insulting Remarks About Bang Si-hyuk in Front of the Nation… Pham Hanni Was Selected Through HYBE's Audition"

Reporter Han Hae-seon

Jan 10 2025, 17:13 KST

[Star News | Seoul Western District Court = Reporter Han Hae-seon]

ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin is making a statement regarding the positions discussed at ADOR's extraordinary shareholders' meeting held earlier that morning, during an emergency press conference at the Maehwa Hall of the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 31st. 2024.05.31 /Photo=Lim Seong-gyun

HYBE labels BELIFT LAB, the agency of group IIT, and SOURCE MUSIC, the agency of L* S****M, have begun a legal battle for damages against former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin.

On the 10th, the first hearing for the 2 billion KRW(Approx. 1.36 Million USD) damages lawsuit filed by BELIFT LAB against former CEO Min was held at the Seoul Western District Court's 12th Civil Division. The first hearing for SOURCE MUSIC's 500 million KRW(Approx. 340,870 USD) damages lawsuit against former CEO Min was also held on the same day.

Only the legal representatives from each side attended that day. The judge confirmed, "The defendant (former CEO Min Hee-jin) claimed that the group's debut was neglected, while the plaintiff (SOURCE MUSIC) stated this constitutes spreading false information and business obstruction," adding "They are claiming damages of 501 million KRW(Approx. 347,671 USD) including advertising contract losses."

The judge stated, "The defendant explained the circumstances of joining Bang Si-hyuk, the NewJeans preparation process, the conflicts with HYBE, I**IT's debut, and internal whistleblowing," adding "The plaintiff claims there are issues with the defendant's statements. The defendant said they prepared the 'S21' project but it was thwarted by the plaintiff."

Furthermore, "The defendant spoke about Bang Si-hyuk's lack of capability, and claims that while HYBE promised NewJeans would debut first, they didn't keep their promise, so transferring to ADOR allowed for a faster debut. The defendant claims there was no illegality as these processes were disclosed for public interest."

The judge said, "The defendant stated we need to examine whether there was illegality regarding the insulting remarks," and asked the plaintiff "Can we view this together with the previous case (BELIFT LAB's damages lawsuit against Min Hee-jin)?" to which the plaintiff agreed.