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| ▲ This file photo taken on April 23, 2024, shows the exterior of K-pop giant Hybe's headquarters in Seoul. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, April 29 (Yonhap) -- Tensions have risen between K-pop behemoth Hybe and Min Hee-jin, the CEO of Hybe’s sublabel ADOR. Min is the creative hand behind hit girl group NewJeans.
The recent controversy, sparked by Min's revealing press conference last week, has transcended the realm of the entertainment industry. It drew ample social attention, with both sides threatening legal action against each other.
Within the K-pop industry, there is speculation that beneath the allegations of "embezzlement" and "contract disputes among shareholders" lies a fracture in the multi-label system due to HYBE's rapid growth. Critics suggest that resolving these issues wisely is essential for further maturation of the K-pop industry.
◇ Multi-Label System Nurtured K-pop, but with Side Effects
According to industry insiders on the 28th, HYBE oversees multiple labels including Big Hit Music (BTS, TXT), Pledis (SEVENTEEN, fromis_9, NU'EST), Source Music (GFRIEND), ADOR (NewJeans), Belift Lab (ENHYPEN, IVE), and KOZ (ZICO, boyhood).
Each subsidiary label specializes in music production, while certain shared functions such as public relations (PR) and legal matters are centralized under HYBE, allowing the labels to share infrastructure costs.
However, Min openly disclosed conflicts during the debut process of Source Music trainees (Source Music), and allegations that IVE imitated NewJeans' concept (Belift Lab), stirring up disputes among some labels.
Min claimed that NewJeans, initially intended to be HYBE's first girl group, prepared with trainees from Source Music, but the debut of Sakura and Chaewon from IZ*ONE with Source Music's group, Le Sserafim, led to delays. She also criticized the payment of a 2 billion won compensation to transfer trainees from Source Music to ADOR, and the transfer of 100% ownership of ADOR to HYBE despite her involvement in its production.
Additionally, Min accused HYBE of being passive in promoting NewJeans, and claimed that IVE's agency used NewJeans' success formula and key choreography without permission. HYBE refuted these claims as unfounded.
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| ▲ Min Hee-jin, CEO of ADOR, attends a press conference in Seoul on April 25, 2024. (Yonhap) |
◇ From ‘Gaejeossi’ Argument to ‘Pushing’ of Albums, Photocards
Min's uncommon status as a 'female star producer' in the K-pop industry resonates with the main consumer base of K-pop, young women, creating subtle shifts in public opinion.
According to HYBE's business report, out of 17 executives, excluding Independent Directors Lee Mee-kyung and Kim Joo-young, all are male.
In the process of challenging the gender imbalance in the K-pop management system, Min used the Korean slang “gaejeossi,” a combination of words “gae (dog)” and “ajeossi (elder male).” Gaejeossi is widely translated into “foul, abusive elder men empowered by the social gender imbalance.”
While not directly related to the current issue, Min's spotlight on the 'shadows' of the K-pop industry also raises questions about practices such as 'pushing,' prevalent in the current K-pop market.
Pushing involves boosting album sales by coercing middle sellers to purchase a portion of the album, leading to exhausting efforts like repeated purchases by fans.
This is the first time a major producer of a major planning company has mentioned boosting sales through pushing.
Min criticized the use of random photocards or album jackets as marketing tactics and emphasized the focus should be on content.
Kim Do-heon, a popular music critic, noted that Min's statement resonated with K-pop fans or consumers, rather than sellers.
He emphasized the need to address this issue in a direction that advances K-pop, arising from internal dynamics within HYBE's rapid growth.
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| ▲ Hybe CEO Park Ji-won (L) and ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin. (Yonhap) |
◇ Hybe Files Embezzlement Complaint, Min Counters with Privacy Violation Lawsuit
The direct cause of the recent controversy -- such as Hybe’s allegations about Min’s “embezzlement and usurpation of management rights” -- have expanded the managerial fight to the legal realm.
On the 25th, Hybe filed a complaint against Min Hee-jin and her aide, surmaned Shin, at the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul.
Min also plans to take legal action against HYBE. She accused HYBE of engaging in "surveillance management" and announced plans for legal action, suggesting possibilities of charges related to defamation or violation of personal information protection laws.
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| ▲ Fans from home and overseas enjoy K-pop performances at the K·Link Festival held in Seoul on Dec. 10, 2023. (Yonhap) |
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