Min Hee-jin, HYBE, Put Option, Dispute Win, Leverage, Damages, W43 Billion

Following her victory in the put option dispute with Hybe, Min Hee-jin’s legal battles are far from over. She now faces further legal repercussions beyond the initial 25.5 billion won ($17.6 million) payout, as another significant lawsuit between her and Hybe remains under consideration.

On Thursday, the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of Min, the former Ador CEO and current head of Ooak Records, compelling Hybe to uphold the shareholder agreement and repurchase Min’s 20 percent stake in Ador. Hybe is the parent company of Ador.

Crucially, the court dismissed the majority of Hybe’s central arguments, which accused Min of breaching contract by allegedly attempting to remove the popular girl group NewJeans from Ador, damaging the company’s reputation, and publicly insinuating that Hybe’s other girl group, Illit, had plagiarized NewJeans.

The court explicitly stated that these actions did not “constitute a serious violation sufficient to terminate the contract,” representing a major setback for Hybe’s legal stance.

Attention is now focused on how this ruling could impact a separate 43 billion won damages lawsuit filed by Ador in December. This case hinges on similar claims of reputational harm and disruption to group activities. This lawsuit, targeting Min, former NewJeans member Danielle, and one of her family members, is being evaluated by the same court that delivered Thursday’s verdict.

“While Thursday’s ruling is not final, Min appears to have gained a significant advantage in most of her key legal disputes with Hybe,” a legal expert anonymously shared with The Korea Herald. “Given that the damages suit involves similar allegations as the put option suit – such as reputational damage and efforts to extract NewJeans from Ador – Min seems to have strengthened her legal position considerably moving forward.”

However, the legal expert also pointed out that the damages suit includes an additional alleged breach – unauthorized activities – potentially referring to public appearances by NewJeans members under the label NJZ while still under contract with Ador.

“A damages claim necessitates proving clear, quantifiable harm. If the court has already rejected claims of reputational damage or misconduct in the put option case, it raises doubts about Hybe’s ability to convincingly demonstrate losses in a separate suit – unless they present new, substantial evidence,” the expert explained. “If Hybe can demonstrate that Min encouraged NewJeans members to engage in activities independent of Ador, it could present a different legal scenario.”

Following Thursday’s verdict, Hybe released a concise statement to the press, expressing their “disappointment” that their position had not been adequately accepted.

“We intend to review the written ruling and pursue further legal steps, including an appeal,” they added.

Min also issued a statement late Thursday afternoon, expressing her sincere gratitude to the court for its judgment and to fans for their unwavering support throughout the dispute.

“(The legal battle) was a painful but meaningful journey that was ultimately about protecting the essence of what I love most — creation and production,” said Min. “I hope that the ruling would serve as a turning point for self-correction and reform in the K-pop industry that reminds everyone how serious contracts and promises truly are.”