SOURCE: 민희진 "방시혁, 창작의 자리서 만나자" 제안…5분 만에 회견 종료 (엑's 현장)[전문]
CEO of OOAK Records (and former CEO of ADOR) Min Heejin publicly proposed to HYBE to end all disputes.
On the 25th, after winning the first trial against HYBE in the lawsuit seeking payment for her shares, Min Heejin held a press conference in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
This day, Min Heejin started by greeting the reporters and shared, "Hello. The result of this lawsuit felt like comfort that has washed away the wounds of the past two years."
She continued, "I have decided to exchange the 25.6 billion KRW I won from the trial for another value," explaining the reason for the press conference. She added, "There is something I value much more than this large sum of money. Therefore, I would like to make a meaningful proposal to HYBE."
Min Heejin proposed, "I will give up the 25.6 billion KRW. In exchange, I propose that all ongoing lawsuits be immediately halted and that all disputes to be ended immediately." She emphasized that this decision is for the sake of NewJeans' members. She noted that this proposal includes ending all legal actions not only against herself, but also NewJeans' members, external partner companies, former ADOR employees, and the fans.
She added sadly, "I can no longer bear to watch the five members who should be happily standing on stage, standing in court instead."
She ten proposed, "HYBE and Chairman Bang Sihyuk. Let us now meet as creators, not in the courtroom."
Previously, on the 12th, the Seoul Central District Court dismissed the lawsuit HYBE had filed to seek confirmation of termination of the shareholder agreement with Min Heejin. In the separate lawsuit that Min Heejin had filed regarding the exercise of her 'put option,' the court ruled that HYBE must pay her approximately 25.5 billion KRW.
However, HYBE has appealed the ruling of the first trial, which means that the legal battle is expected to continue in a second trial. Although Min Heejin applied for seizure and collection orders against HYBE's claims (bank accounts), HYBE requested the court to pause the payment until the ruling is finalized. The court accepted HYBE's request, temporarily suspending the seizure process.
Below is the full statement by Min Heejin.
Hello, this is Min Heejin.
First of all, I would like to express my deep respect and gratitude to the court for examining the essence of this case over a long period of time and making a clear decision.
From winning the injunction in 2024 to the police clearing me in 2025, and now winning this first trial in 2-26, it has truly been a long tunnel.
The court showed the claims of 'taking over management' and 'tampering' were not true and recognized that the concerns I raised about creative ethics were part of my job as a CEO.
The result of this lawsuit felt like comfort that has washed away the wounds of the past two years. At the same time, I feel bad for the stress this unintentionally caused to the public.
Now, I want to pay back that debt with a new vision for K-pop.
The reason I stand here today is to announce that I have decided to exchange the 25.6 billion KRW I have won for another value.
Among all the reasons behind this decision, the most urgent one is because of NewJeans' members.Among all the reasons behind this decision, the most urgent one is because of NewJeans' members.
I will give up the 25.6 billion KRW. In exchange, I propose that all ongoing lawsuits be immediately halted and that all disputes to be ended immediately. This proposal includes ending all legal actions not only against myself, but also NewJeans' members, external partner companies, former ADOR employees, and the fans.
Only when all these lawsuits end will the noise stop for the artists, their families, and the fans.
I can no longer bear to watch the five members who should be happily standing on stage, standing in court instead. The members on stage must also be suffering. Neither the fans or anyone else can look at this situation with happiness. We can never create a good culture with hearts that are torn apart like this.
As I have said many times, there are values more important than money to me. Now that my sincerity has been confirmed, I want to show that there are values more precious than money in this world.
I hope this decision to exchange 25.6 billion KRW for another value will help the overall development and unity within the K-pop industry.
The place where HYBE and I should be is not a court, but a stage for creation.
I had a creative vision when I launched NewJeans. I'm very sad that I couldn't finish it, but because of that, I ask ADOR to keep the promise they made in court to 'treat NewJeans well if they return.'
Please create an environment where all five members of NewJeans can be together and freely pursue their dreams.
To me, 25.6 billion KRW is not more important than estoring a healthy K-pop ecosystem and the artists' peace.
Now, I hope we all do our best in our own ways to present better stages to fans.
I propose that we adults go back to competing through music and stage, not in court. The longer this fight goes on, the more the true protagonists of this industry, which is the artists, suffer.
HYBE and Chairman Bang Sihyuk. Let us now meet as creators, not in the courtroom. In a time when company responsibility is very important, including the July 2025 revision of the Commercial Act, choosing to resolve risks in the entertainment industry and to pursue unity would be the wisest management decisions for shareholders and fans.
I will now leave behind the title of 'Former CEO of ADOR' and walk a new path as 'CEO of OOAK Records.' I will put all my energy to nurture new artists and build a new business direction that represents the K-pop industry.
Thank you to the media for coming today. I hope there are no more tiring press conferences after this.
I will now meet you on a creative stage, not in a press conference or courtroom. I will focus on what I do best, which is creative work. I hope my sincerity today becomes a turning point for the entire K-pop industry to breathe healthily again.
Today, the KOSPI surpassed 6,000. I hope HYBE will think carefully and consider this proposal so we can all succeed together.
