NewJeans speak up on ADOR/HYBE issue
12 Sep - In a move that surprised many, K-pop group NewJeans has released a video calling for HYBE to reinstate Min Hee-jin as the CEO of their agency, ADOR.
On 11 September, members Haerin, Hanni, Hyein, Danielle, and Minji sat together to discuss the ongoing battle between HYBE and Min in a video that has now been deleted but not before fans were able to save and repost on several platforms.
Revealing that they had a meeting with HYBE prior to recording the video, Danielle expressed, "Even before debuting as NewJeans and through all of the time that we spent together with CEO Min Hee-jin, all of us felt that the music we wanted to make and the kind of world we wanted to build together, our vision, was similar in so many ways. With CEO Min Hee-jin, we were able to prepare each and every task with sincere hearts, and I believe it shows in our work."
"CEO Min Hee-jin is not only the person that produces our music but someone who makes NewJeans who we are. She discusses even the smallest details with us and explains them in ways that we can understand clearly. NewJeans has a distinct colour and tone, and this was created with CEO Min Hee-jin. She is integral to NewJeans' identity and we all feel that she is irreplaceable."
Meanwhile, Hyein stated that Min's dismissal as CEO made it feel like HYBE does not respect them.
Said Minji, "The ADOR that we want is an ADOR where the music production and company management are done by Min Hee-jin as the CEO. We make this request as the way to cohabitate peacefully with HYBE."
It is noted that Min was dismissed as CEO of ADOR in late August and was replaced by another member of the board of directors, Kim Ju-young. However, she remains producer for the group.
(Photo Source: NewJeans IG, Min Hee-jin IG)
