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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Hallyuwood devider HYBE to appeal $15.6-million court ruling in favor of ex-ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin

HYBE to appeal $15.6-million court ruling in favor of ex-ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin

Published Feb 13, 2026 09:15 am
HYBE and Min Hee-jin (HYBE website, Instagram)
HYBE and Min Hee-jin (HYBE website, Instagram)

Korean agency HYBE said it will appeal a court ruling that ordered the company to pay former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin 22.5 billion won (about $15.6 million) in a put option case. 

“HYBE finds it unfortunate that its views were not fully reflected in the court’s decision. The company will review the written ruling and proceed with further legal steps, including an appeal,” said HYBE in a statement sent to Manila Bulletin. 

On Feb. 12, the 31st Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court ordered HYBE to pay Min Hee-jin 22.5 billion won and former ADOR directors 1.4 billion won (about $970,046) for a total of 25.6 billion won (about $17.7 million). 

ADOR, an affiliate company under HYBE, manages K-pop girl group NewJeans. 

The court dismissed HYBE’s lawsuit against Min Hee-jin for confirmation of termination of the shareholder agreement. 

The lawsuit started in 2024 when HYBE launched a surprise audit, alleging that Min Hee-jin attempted to seize management. 

HYBE accused Min Hee-jin of breach of trust for contacting outside investors to attempt to spin ADOR off from HYBE. 

The issue was the put option stipulated in HYBE’s shareholder Agreement. Put option gives the owner the right to sell a specific asset at a predetermined price 

In November 2024, Min Hee-jin resigned as an inside director and notified HYBE that she would exercise her right to resell her shares to HYBE at a set price as stated in the agreement. 

HYBE refused to pay, arguing that her attempt to seize management rights constituted a breach of contract and thus the contract itself was terminated. 

However, the court ruled that the grounds for termination were insufficient. 

Min Hee-jin (Instagram)
Min Hee-jin (Instagram)

Korean media reported that the main issue in the lawsuit was whether Min Hee-jin’s “exploration of ADOR’s independence” from HYBE constituted a serious breach that undermined the essence of the agreement. 

The court stated, "Considering the KakaoTalk messages and other evidence, it is acknowledged that former CEO Min sought independence."

But the court ruled, "This was merely a plan based on the assumption that negotiations with HYBE would break down, and it was not a structure that could be implemented without HYBE’s consent." 

Regarding HYBE’s allegations of Min Hee-jin poaching NewJeans, the court said, "There is insufficient evidence to conclude that she attempted to leave with the members."

The court ruled, "The reasons for termination claimed by HYBE are abstract or minor incidental liabilities," and "It is difficult to view them as significant compared to the damages, such as the loss of put options, that former CEO Min would incur by terminating the contract."

NewJeans members, however, lost their contract dispute with ADOR. 

Last October, the 41st Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of ADOR in its lawsuit against NewJeans for confirming the validity of their exclusive contracts. 

The court ruled, "Former CEO Min's dismissal does not imply a vacuum or inability to fulfill management duties under the exclusive contract. The members' deep personal trust in former CEO Min alone cannot be viewed as a contractual obligation to maintain her position as CEO."

Following the ruling, the members returned to ADOR. But ADOR terminated NewJeans member Danielle’s exclusive contract last year and filed a lawsuit against her family and Min Hee-jin, seeking 43 billion won (about $29.7 million) in damages. 

ADOR accused them of being responsible for disrupting NewJeans’ activities. 

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