Min Hee-jin, the former ADOR CEO and creative mastermind behind the K-pop girl group NewJeans, has sparked massive industry interest after hinting at plans to produce a boy group through her newly established entertainment company. The first audition organized by her label OK Records has been overwhelmed with applications, forcing organizers to close submissions earlier than planned due to unprecedented demand.
Min founded OK Records in October and completed the corporate registration process shortly afterward, marking her return to the entertainment industry following her highly publicized departure from ADOR. The company quietly launched its first recruitment drive through a private, in-person audition held at a prominent dance academy, which immediately caught the attention of aspiring trainees and industry watchers.
According to the original audition notice, applications were scheduled to remain open online until December 4 at 10 p.m. However, the hosting academy was forced to post an emergency update on its official account titled "OK Records Private Audition Notice" on the same day. The academy explained that "applications for the private audition exceeded expectations, far surpassing our operational capacity for the day." They added that "to ensure a smooth evaluation, we had no choice but to close submissions early," and confirmed that successful applicants would receive individual schedules and further instructions.
The overwhelming response immediately fueled widespread speculation that Min has officially begun work on a new idol project under her independent label. Later that same day, she addressed the sudden buzz during an appearance on the YouTube livestream "JTBCSHOW," where she also discussed her ongoing put option lawsuit against HYBE Corporation, her former parent company.
When questioned about OK Records' involvement in the audition process, Min downplayed the significance of the event, stating that "the academy simply included us in its regular audition lineup." She seemed to distance herself from suggestions that the agency had launched a full-scale recruitment campaign, though the massive applicant turnout suggested otherwise.
As the CEO of OK Records, Min also shared her ambitious vision for transforming the entertainment industry's business model. "I want to propose a new management model. I want shorter contract terms," she explained. "There are still too many loopholes in the standard contract. Sometimes I wonder if this absurd fight I am in now is actually part of a paradigm shift. I want to take on that kind of new challenge." Her comments reflect ongoing concerns about trainee and artist contract conditions in the K-pop industry.
Most significantly, Min drew considerable attention when she revealed her specific plans for future projects, stating that she does not intend to launch another girl group in the immediate future. "I don't think I'll be making a girl group next. Maybe someday, but not right now," she said during the livestream. "If I do anything soon, it will be a boy group. If a boy group comes first, then maybe a girl group will follow." This announcement marks a notable shift for Min, who gained international recognition for her work with NewJeans and their distinctive aesthetic and musical style.
The entertainment industry and K-pop fans are now closely watching Min's next moves as she establishes her independent operation following her departure from the HYBE ecosystem. Her success with NewJeans, combined with her reputation as a creative visionary, has generated significant anticipation for whatever projects emerge from OK Records in the coming months.
