Former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin Teases New Project, Hints at Potential Boy Group
Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of Ador and the creative force behind NewJeans, is gearing up to reveal her first project under her newly established K-pop agency, Ooak Records. This marks a swift return to the industry for Min, despite ongoing legal battles with Hybe, Ador’s parent company.
Ooak Records generated buzz by posting a cryptic teaser video featuring its logo on social media Tuesday, accompanied by the message, “20260205 10AM Coming soon.” The following day, the company unveiled its official website and a newly launched X (formerly Twitter) account, further fueling anticipation.
While details of the forthcoming project remain under wraps, industry insiders suggest that it’s unlikely to be the immediate debut of a new K-pop idol group, given the extensive preparation and resources typically required for such a launch.
Ooak Records was officially registered as a corporation in October of last year. Min Hee-jin’s first publicly known audition activity after her departure from Hybe was a private session held at a Seoul dance studio in December.
However, speculation about the potential formation of a boy group has gained traction, particularly following comments made by Min Hee-jin during a livestream interview with a local media outlet on December 19th.
“There’s no reason to create a rival to NewJeans, and considering my usual style, a boy group would be the natural next step,” Min stated. She also noted the significant number of inquiries and applications she has received through her social media channels. NewJeans, the globally successful girl group, was created by Min Hee-jin and launched under Ador in 2022.
Min Hee-jin also hinted that her ambitions extend beyond traditional idol group production.
“I’ve been approached with proposals that aren’t related to idol projects at all, and I’m reviewing those as well,” she explained. “What I want is to build a fun company.”
Min Hee-jin joined Hybe in 2019 as chief brand officer, playing a pivotal role in shaping the company’s initial brand strategy and identity.
In November 2021, she assumed the role of CEO at Ador, achieving widespread acclaim a year later with the debut of NewJeans. Her work as a creative producer and brand architect has been widely praised within the industry.
However, Min was dismissed from her position at Ador amidst a growing conflict with Hybe in 2024. Hybe accused her of attempting to seize management control of Ador and committing breach of trust. Min has vehemently denied these allegations and is currently engaged in multiple legal proceedings related to the ongoing dispute.
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