A new series of alleged messages has joined an existing series of leaks of messages shared between ADOR executives. These messages appear to confirm the HYBE label’s allegations against Min Hee Jin amid an ongoing legal battle for control.
The psychological warfare going on behind the closed doors of the HYBE building has turned into unmissable piping-hot drama that K-pop fans are loving. Adding fuel to the fire, South Korean media outlet TV Daily released an expose of ADOR’s CEO, showing a long thread of text messages in which Min can be seen plotting about ADOR taking control of HYBE’s multi-label system. This particular leak went especially viral online as the mention of sensational septet BTS caught the attention of fans.
Why did Min Hee Jin’s KakaoTalk messages go viral this time?
The alleged thread of KakaoTalk messages allegedly written by Min Hye Jin had already caused a storm on the internet before it was revealed. The focus was on Min making derogatory comments about the members of Newseen while presenting herself as a mother figure to the girl group’s career.
The latest leak again centers around an alleged online conversation between Min Ji Jin and “Deputy CEO Lee.” The screenshots show that “Lee” allegedly targeted BTS in his message to Min on February 4: “We have to do something before BTS’ comeback in a year.”
“Lee” goes on to say, “In a year, their multi-label/US sickness/IT platform confusion will all be gone, if that were to happen… It will make things difficult for them, and we will regain our independence.” In a later response, Hee Jin agreed with Lee’s idea.
Both ADOR executives are reportedly planning their “escape” from HYBE, relying on the media as an influential advantage against the giant K-pop label. Reluctantly, Min eventually agreed to use the media to his advantage, seeing it as a necessary evil in his plan to “make it tough for HYBE.” The South Korean entertainment company currently holds several subsidiary labels, including ADOR, which manages Newsines.
Lee added the section of “HYBE’s chart manipulation” as an additional attack on the authenticity of the company’s brand, Min was seen agreeing with his strategies. She replies, “While HYBE is under fire, we need to make an escape plan.” Furthermore, the alleged chat shows her revealing the next step, which requires them to meet a journalist from a well-known media outlet she was remotely acquainted with.
In a following response from Lee, the deputy CEO wrote about working with ADOR’s CEO to build a network of contacts to counterattack HYBE, “First we will get close to them and like drops falling on clothes, we will quietly build a personal network of accountants, competitors, investors, outside directors, investment firms, and media outlets.”
As Hee Jin later said they did so on personal terms without using ADOR’s name, Lee set the agenda for February: “Building these external alliances while strengthening ADOR’s capabilities internally.”
In another conversation in March, Vice President Lee and Min delve deep into the negotiations to buy Newgene. They talk about potential investors interested in investing in Newgene. A long series of financial calculations and legal considerations come into the discussion.
Eventually, Lee compiled a list of complaints that he hoped would bring HYBE down. These discussions share strange similarities to claims made by the ADOR CEO during the early stages of the internal rift with HYBE, in which he tried to “expose” the label. As Lee and Min’s schemes against HYBE progress, the messages reveal a moral crack in the corporate foundation of the K-pop industry. With each side’s moral inadequacies exposed, Min also discussed manipulating the parents of Newseen’s members to act as alleged whistleblowers against HYBE.
