▲ Courtesy of Ador

The ongoing conflict between Ador CEO Min Hee-jin and Hybe Corporation escalated on Wednesday as Min filed a lawsuit against five Hybe executives, including CEO Park Ji-won, Outside Director Lim Soo-hyon, Chief Legal Officer Jung Jin-soo, Chief Financial Officer Lee Kyung-jun, and Chief Communications Officer Park Tae-hee. The lawsuit alleges obstruction of business, unlawful acquisition of electronic records, and defamation.

According to Min, the Hybe executives illegally accessed and manipulated private messenger conversations, leaking personal information and altering it to fit their narrative. This legal action follows a recent announcement by Hybe's subsidiary, Source Music, which stated it would take legal measures against Min for allegedly spreading false information about the launch of the K-pop girl group NewJeans.

On Tuesday, Source Music posted on social media platform X, refuting Min's claim that Source Music had copied her girl group launching strategy. The label clarified that the launch strategy, which was approved by Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk in May 2020, was intended for a new girl group under Min’s label, Ador, not for the "N team" project under Source Music.

Min's recent statement refuted allegations reported by local media outlet Dispatch, which claimed that she had taken trainees, including Minji, Hanni, Danielle, and Haerin, from Source Music to form NewJeans. Min denied these claims, asserting that Chairman Bang had encouraged her to develop her launch strategy under Ador, rather than Source Music.

Source Music had previously filed a 500 million won ($361,000) lawsuit against Min, alleging defamation and obstruction of business, citing her April press conference which they claim caused damage to their girl group, Le Sserafim. Both parties have indicated that they may release additional documents to clarify the facts.

Sayart / Chloe Kim, 2022chloe.k@gmil.com