The long-running legal battle between K-pop powerhouse HYBE and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin reached a dramatic turning point on February 12, 2026, when the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 31 delivered its verdict. The court sided decisively with Min, ordering HYBE to pay her approximately 25.5 billion KRW (about $19 million USD) for exercising a put option on her ADOR shares. This ruling not only marks a significant financial and reputational blow to HYBE, but also underscores the complex power dynamics shaping South Korea’s entertainment industry.
The dispute, which has gripped both industry insiders and fans alike, centers on the intricate web of contracts, creative control, and accusations of betrayal between HYBE—parent company of global sensation BTS—and its subsidiary label ADOR, home to the breakout girl group NewJeans. According to News1, the court also dismissed HYBE’s lawsuit seeking to terminate the shareholder agreement with Min and her associates, while upholding Min’s claims for payment related to the put option.
At the heart of the matter was whether Min Hee-jin had committed a “serious breach” of her contractual obligations that would justify HYBE’s July 2024 attempt to terminate their shareholder agreement. HYBE had argued that Min orchestrated a plan to take NewJeans away from the company, citing evidence from KakaoTalk messages and alleging she sought to undermine HYBE’s control over ADOR. Yet, the court found these claims unsubstantiated. As YTN reported, the court acknowledged the evidentiary value of the messages but concluded, “There is insufficient evidence to determine that Min Hee-jin attempted to take NewJeans members away from HYBE.”
Instead, the court recognized that Min’s actions—such as exploring independence for ADOR with outside investors—remained within the bounds of business judgment and were contingent on HYBE’s consent. “All of these plans appear to have been premised on HYBE’s agreement,” the court stated, adding, “If HYBE did not agree, these plans would have no effect.” This distinction proved crucial, as it undermined HYBE’s assertion that Min had unilaterally violated the terms of their partnership.
Another flashpoint in the dispute was Min’s public accusation that Ailead, another HYBE-affiliated girl group, had copied NewJeans in everything from styling and choreography to promotional materials. Min, who had previously claimed, “Ailead is copying NewJeans in hair, makeup, costumes, choreography, photography, video, and event appearances,” maintained that raising these concerns was part of her duty to protect ADOR’s interests. The court agreed, finding that “the act of raising the similarity issue was within the scope of business judgment to protect NewJeans’ value and was not a serious contract violation,” according to Sports Seoul.
HYBE, for its part, expressed disappointment with the outcome and announced plans to appeal. In a statement following the verdict, the company said, “We regret that our claims were not fully accepted and will proceed with further legal steps after reviewing the judgment.” The company’s legal team had argued that Min’s actions—including her challenge to Ailead’s originality and her alleged efforts to attract outside investors—amounted to a breach that nullified her rights under the shareholder agreement, specifically the lucrative put option.
The financial mechanics of the case were as contentious as the personal drama. The put option in question, established after NewJeans’ successful debut in March 2023, allowed Min to sell her ADOR shares back to HYBE at a price based on the company’s average operating profit over the previous two years, multiplied by a factor of 13, and applied to 75% of her shareholding. With ADOR posting an operating loss of 4 billion KRW in 2022 and a profit of 33.5 billion KRW in 2023, the payout was calculated to be around 26 billion KRW, as detailed by News1.
HYBE contended that its July 2024 notice of contract termination rendered the put option void, while Min insisted that the agreement was still valid when she exercised the option in November 2024. The court ultimately sided with Min, stating, “There was no serious contract violation by Min Hee-jin that would justify termination of the shareholder agreement before exercising the put option.” The court further noted that the harm Min would suffer from contract termination was “clear and significant,” reinforcing the need for HYBE to honor its obligations.
Throughout the proceedings, Min Hee-jin was a visible and vocal presence, appearing in court three times to testify and steadfastly denying all allegations of tampering with NewJeans’ contracts or attempting a management takeover. At a tearful emergency press conference on May 31, 2024, she declared her innocence and commitment to ADOR’s artists, according to edaily.
The court also addressed the broader context of the creative disputes, ruling that Min’s criticisms—such as the accusation that HYBE encouraged the suppression of NewJeans’ records—were “opinions or value judgments, not factual statements,” and thus did not constitute a breach of contract. The court found no evidence that Min’s actions had hindered ADOR’s growth or caused financial harm, and characterized her conduct as being within the normal range of a CEO acting to protect her company’s interests.
Reflecting on the verdict, some industry observers noted that the case reveals much about the fragile alliances and fierce competition within K-pop’s corporate landscape. The legal wrangling between HYBE and Min Hee-jin, once hailed as a visionary for her role in launching NewJeans, underscores the difficulties in balancing creative freedom with the demands of conglomerate management. As ZDNet Korea observed, the dispute was as much about “control and vision” as it was about money.
For now, the court’s decision stands as a vindication for Min Hee-jin and a reminder that even in the high-stakes world of K-pop, contracts and due process matter. With HYBE’s intention to appeal, the saga is far from over—and the industry will be watching closely as the next chapter unfolds.
In the wake of the ruling, both sides are left to reckon with the consequences: HYBE with a hefty payout and a public relations setback, Min Hee-jin with a legal victory and renewed standing in the industry. Whether the verdict will prompt a broader reassessment of power and partnership in K-pop remains to be seen, but its immediate impact is unmistakable.