NewJeans Controversy: ADOR Responds To Min Hee-Jin's Shocking Allegations Of Fraud Against A Band Member's Family

The

controversy around NewJeans, ADOR and Min Hee-Jin refuses to die down. The latest update is that ADOR has finally responded to former CEOMin Hee-Jin’s latest press conference, where explosive allegations of fraud and stock manipulation were levelled against a family member of a NewJeans member. While Min herself skipped the event, the claims made on her behalf have restarted debates around alleged tampering, corporate influence, and internal power struggles within HYBE and its subsidiaries. ADOR, however, has chosen to keep its response short and pointed, signalling that the matter is far from over and a huge legal showdown is almost inevitable.

ADOR's sharp response to Min Hee-Jin

On January 28, when asked for its official stance on Min Hee-Jin’s press conference, an ADOR representative told Maeil Business Star Today that if Min has any claims to make, she should present them through the court system. The brief comment suggests that ADOR has no intention of engaging in a public back-and-forth and instead wants the dispute resolved through legal proceedings.

Earlier that day, a press conference was held in Seoul’s Jongno District under a provocative title questioning who was truly responsible for damaging K-pop and enabling alleged stock market manipulation. Although Min Hee-Jin did not appear in person, her legal representative, Attorney Kim Sun-woong of Jiam Law Firm, spoke at length on her behalf. The press conference focused on refuting the long-standing NewJeans tampering allegations that first emerged in April 2024, when HYBE launched an internal audit into Min’s activities as ADOR CEO.

What are Min Hee-Jin's allegations?

In 2024, HYBE accused Min Hee-Jin of attempting to seize control of ADOR’s management. Min denied these accusations but was removed from her position four months later. The controversy resurfaced in January 2025 after DAVOLINK chairman Park Jung-kyu claimed that Min had asked him for advice on whether she could take NewJeans with her while discussing a proposed investment worth 5 billion won. This statement once again brought allegations of tampering into the spotlight.Attorney Kim strongly rejected this narrative, arguing that what has been framed as NewJeans tampering was, in fact, a large-scale fraud carried out by a family member of one NewJeans member in collaboration with an outside business figure. According to him, the alleged scheme was designed to manipulate the stock price of a specific company and had no direct involvement from Min Hee-Jin.

Min Hee-Jin was ready to give up her shareholder rights for NewJeans?

He further claimed that during the initial controversy, Min even attempted to reach an agreement with HYBE that would allow NewJeans to return and continue their activities. As part of those efforts, she was reportedly willing to relinquish all rights under her shareholder agreement. Kim alleged that during this vulnerable period, a NewJeans member’s relative, said to have close ties with HYBE’s top executives, took advantage of Min’s situation and orchestrated what later became known as the tampering case, while also involving stock manipulators.As part of his argument, Kim presented alleged evidence including private messages between Min and the uncle of a NewJeans member, an audio recording in which HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang reportedly mentioned DAVOLINK before Min was aware of the company, and messages suggesting that a relative of the HYBE CEO urged the family member to accuse Min of tampering.While ADOR is refusing to comment further outside the courtroom, Min Hee-Jin is ready with all evidences in public. It is yet to be seen how this new development will affect NewJeans as well as its former member Danielle. Both Min and Danielle are currently in a legal battle against ADOR.