Former Ador CEO accused of trying to poach NewJeans

Former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin speaks throughout a press convention in Jung District, central Seoul, Could 31, 2024. Korea Occasions file

Already dealing with a number of lawsuits involving subsidiaries of HYBE Labels, former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin is now accused of trying to poach NewJeans, a globally standard lady group she helped create.

Allegations of Min’s poaching makes an attempt surfaced Thursday, when Chairman Park Jung-kyu of tech firm Davolink claimed in an interview with a neighborhood media outlet that he had mentioned „tampering“ with the ex-CEO throughout a gathering final yr.

Tampering, a time period originating within the sports activities world in Korea, refers back to the apply of contacting people affiliated with rival organizations to recruit them — a transfer typically thought of unethical or unlawful.

The allegations are linked to rumors that surfaced final November, suggesting that Min and the members of NewJeans had been planning to signal new unique contracts supported by investments from the tech firm. On the time, Min denied the claims, calling the allegations „completely false.“

Nevertheless, within the interview launched 0n Thursday, Park described Min’s denial as a „blatant lie,“ claiming that the 2 had a three-hour assembly to debate funding alternatives and techniques to lure NewJeans away from Ador.

In accordance with Park, Min approached him final August in search of investments. He claimed that in a gathering at his house in September, Min requested if she might „take NewJeans along with her.“ Park allegedly suggested her that „it may be attainable if she left Ador and the corporate’s worth declined.“

Actually, Min resigned as Ador’s board director in November and left HYBE shortly thereafter. Later that month, the 5 NewJeans members held an emergency press convention to announce the termination of their unique contracts with Ador.

Regardless of the announcement, stories have instructed that variations in funding methods prevented Min and Davolink from transferring ahead collectively.

From left are Okay-pop lady group NewJeans members Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, Hyein and Minji. Their official scheduled actions below the band’s present company, Ador, had been concluded on Jan. 5 after attending the thirty ninth Golden Disc Awards. Courtesy of Ador

If confirmed true, Min’s alleged actions may very well be seen as a breach of her duties whereas at Ador. Initiating discussions with exterior buyers about transferring NewJeans whereas nonetheless serving as a director may violate company regulation.

Park additionally revealed within the interview that Min used disparaging language throughout their dialog, notably about HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk. He claimed that Min referred to Bang as a „pig,“ though it was their first assembly.

Min presently faces her first court docket listening to on Friday in a lawsuit filed by HYBE subsidiaries Belift Lab and Supply Music.

Belift Lab, house to rookie lady group ILLIT, accused Min of defamation and obstruction of enterprise actions after she claimed that the group had copied NewJeans‘ idea. Supply Music, the corporate behind Le Sserafim, additionally filed a lawsuit over Min’s allegations that it had plagiarized the ex-CEO’s methods for launching lady teams.

The future of NewJeans equally remains uncertain, because the group concluded its official schedule with Ador on Jan. 5 after attending the thirty ninth Golden Disc Awards.

Following their November emergency press convention declaring unilateral contract termination, the 5 members have since shunned utilizing their group identify, whereas launching a brand new social media account in an unbiased transfer.

In response, Ador filed a lawsuit with the Seoul Central District Court docket in December to verify the validity of its unique contracts with the 5 members, asserting that the agreements stay legally binding.