South Korean prosecutors have dismissed all charges against HYBE and Belift Lab executives filed by former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin [1].
The decision marks a significant legal victory for the entertainment conglomerate in its ongoing conflict with the former NewJeans producer over corporate governance and public image.
Min Hee-jin had accused the company of business interference and defamation. She said that a press release distributed by HYBE in April 2024, which referenced "shamanic management," contained false information intended to damage her reputation and facilitate the termination of her contract [1].
The Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office, specifically the First Criminal Division, handled the case. Prosecutors said that the contents of the press release were not false and were based on factual grounds [1].
The legal action targeted 10 individuals, including six executives from HYBE and four from its subsidiary, Belift Lab [1]. The prosecution officially decided not to indict the executives on April 27, 2024 [1].
This ruling follows a period of intense public scrutiny regarding the internal operations of ADOR and the relationship between the label and its parent company. Min said that the "shamanic management" narrative was a fabrication used to justify her removal from her position as the head of the label [1].
By clearing the executives, the prosecutors have effectively validated the claims made in the original corporate communications, removing the threat of criminal liability for those who authorized the release of the information [1].
“Prosecutors determined that the contents of the press release were not false”
This ruling reinforces the legal standing of HYBE's internal claims regarding Min Hee-jin's management style. By determining that the 'shamanic management' allegations were not defamatory, the prosecution has reduced the legal leverage Min can use in ongoing civil disputes or contract negotiations, effectively legitimizing the corporate narrative used by HYBE to justify its actions against the former CEO.
