▲ ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin enters a press conference room in southern Seoul on April 25, 2024. (Yonhap)

 

 

SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- Fans of K-pop girl group NewJeans are crossed by ADOR CEO’s media event held on Thursday, anxious that the agency chief’s comments may negatively affect the band’s comeback activities.

 

Social media bustled as Min Hee-jin, the embattled head of ADOR, was live-broadcast on news outlets, saying the firm’s mother lable Hybe sought to “use her up and oust her.” She also insisted Hybe have “interrupt NewJeans’ PR activities” in order to promote Le Sserafim and let ILLIT copy NewJeans’ unique creative formula.

 

Hybe’s audit team raided her office On Monday and decided to sue her for breach of trust on Thursday.

 

▲ These images are captured from fan-based community service WEVERSE on April 25, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

After the 135-minute live event, members from Bunnies, the official fan of NewJeans, and other supporters of the group voiced their concerns stemming from the Hybe-ADOR feud. Min also mentioned a number of prominent figures in the K-pop industry, including Hybe chairman Bang Si-hyuk, SM Entertainment founder Lee Soo-man, during the event.  

 

A fan commented in fan-based community app WEVERSE, “It was inappropriate for (Min) to keep mentioning other idol groups, using swear words and dumping her emotional wastes. NewJeans’ comeback is just around the corner, and it’s going to affect them. What’s wrong with her?”

 

During the Thursday afternoon press conference, Min had said she felt like it was the last chance to give her stance to the press before NewJeans’ comeback.

 

▲ These images are captured from fan-based community service WEVERSE on April 25, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Meanwhile, most of the fan communities were relieved that both agencies, ADOR and Hybe, were determined to keep NewJeans’ comeback activities on schedule.

 

A fan wrote on WEVERSE, “I’m so grateful that you (NewJeans) are sticking to your comeback date. I’m really looking forward to your music video release.”

 

After Min’s media appearance, Hybe issued an official notice about its support for NewJeans’ activities. Yet the notice discomforted some overseas fans as the notice came from Hybe, not ADOR, the group’s direct management.

 

▲ These images are captured from social media on April 25, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Despite the managerial discord, NewJeans is gearing up for a Saturday comeback via a music video of its new song "Bubble Gum." In May 24, the group is slated to drop new single "How Sweet.”

 

In June, the band is set to debut with a single in Japan. It will hold a fan meeting at the Tokyo Dome on the 26-27. 

 

By Chung Joo-won

 

jwc@yna.co.kr

 

▲ K-pop girl group NewJeans appears on this undated photo provided by ADOR. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

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