In a significant legal setback for Min Hee Jin, the former CEO of ADOR and creative force behind NewJeans, the Seoul police have officially dismissed her complaint against two former HYBE executives. The decision hinged on the finding that the executives’ access to her company email was legally justified.
According to the report, the Yongsan Police Station concluded on October 14 that HYBE’s audit of her email account did not violate the Information and Communications Network Act.
Background of the Dispute: Min Hee Jin vs HYBE
The conflict first emerged when Min Hee Jin, credited for shaping NewJeans’ distinctive style, took the helm at ADOR, a label under HYBE. In April 2024, HYBE launched an internal audit accusing Min of attempting to take control of ADOR and the group, an action HYBE claimed went against its multi-label structure.
In response, Min and her legal team filed criminal complaints against HYBE executives—including Park Ji‑Won (HYBE CEO) and Park Tae‑Hee (HYBE CCO)—alleging illegal laptop seizures, email forensics, and leaked KakaoTalk messages.
HYBE countered by saying Min never returned the company-issued laptop and that the audit, including email access, was authorised under corporate policy.
What the Police Found
The Yongsan Police concluded that:
- HYBE had a legitimate reason for accessing Min’s work email during a formal internal audit.
- There was no verifiable proof that Min returned her company laptop in August 2022 as she claimed.
- The forensic examination of the laptop of a co-complainant (former ADOR deputy CEO) was also found lawful and not a seizure without consent.
Because of these findings, the complaint alleging violation of the Information and Communications Network Act was not forwarded for prosecution.
Why This Ruling Matters
From an industry viewpoint, this is critical for several reasons:
- It weakens Min’s criminal case against HYBE executives, potentially affecting her civil cases as well.
- It sets a precedent around how company-issued devices and email accounts are treated in K-pop corporate structures. The distinction between personal and work data is especially relevant in agencies that house both creative and business functions.
- It highlights the gravity of internal audits in K-pop labels—what may seem like standard corporate procedure can become headline-making when it involves star creators and global groups.
What Happens Now?
Min’s legal team at Shin & Kim LLC has confirmed that they will appeal the decision.
Meanwhile, HYBE retains the upper hand in this round. However, the wider dispute is far from settled. Additional court battles, civil claims, and public sentiment remain in play.
For fans of NewJeans and observers of the K-pop business world, this means we are entering a phase where the dispute shifts from investigations to courtroom strategy and public image.
Conclusion
The dismissal of Min Hee Jin’s complaint is a key moment in the broader HYBE-ADOR-NewJeans saga. It confirms that HYBE’s access to the company’s email during a formal audit was deemed lawful by the Yongsan Police Station.
For Min, the ruling is a setback. However, the dispute is far from over. What happens next will matter not just for one executive or one group, but for how K-pop’s giants structure control, creativity, and accountability.
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