Seoul, February 12, 2026 – Former Adore CEO Min Hee-jin scored a significant legal victory today, winning the first round of a lawsuit against HYBE Corporation over a stock purchase claim. The court ordered HYBE to pay 25.5 billion won to Min, along with 1.7 billion won and 1.4 billion won to former Adore vice president Shin and former director Kim, who also exercised put options. But what does this mean for the ongoing K-pop drama, and could it reshape the industry landscape?
Court Sides With Min Hee-jin in Stock Dispute
The Seoul Central District Court dismissed HYBE’s claims of mismanagement and contract violations, potentially opening the door for further legal challenges.
- The court rejected HYBE’s allegations that Min Hee-jin attempted to seize management control.
- Claims of plagiarism related to the group NewJeans were deemed expressions of opinion, not breaches of contract.
- HYBE’s attempt to invalidate the shareholder contract was also dismissed.
- The ruling acknowledges Min Hee-jin sought independence for Adore, but doesn’t consider it a serious contractual violation.
The Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Agreement Division 31, presided over by Chief Judge Nam In-soo, ruled in favor of Min in the stock purchase lawsuit. Simultaneously, the court dismissed HYBE’s lawsuit seeking confirmation of the contract termination between shareholders. This isn’t just about money; the court’s decision fundamentally challenges HYBE’s justification for severing ties with the influential producer.
The court acknowledged that Min Hee-jin “sought a way to make Adore independent from HYBE,” but crucially determined that this ambition didn’t constitute a severe breach of the shareholder agreement. The court highlighted that discussions, including those conducted via KakaoTalk, were predicated on HYBE’s consent and couldn’t be enacted unilaterally.
Interestingly, the court’s assessment of alleged “usurpation of management rights” aligns with a previous police investigation. Last year, authorities decided not to pursue criminal charges against Min, finding insufficient evidence to support claims of breach of trust, largely because the KakaoTalk conversations were understood to have occurred with HYBE’s knowledge.
HYBE’s assertion that Min attempted to “take away NewJeans” also failed to convince the court. Statements like “Adore becomes an empty shell,” made during conversations with associates, were interpreted as hypothetical expressions regarding the company’s future should Min depart, rather than concrete plans for dismantling the group. Allegations of plagiarism concerning NewJeans and attempts to rush album releases were similarly dismissed as subjective opinions or within the bounds of managerial discretion.
HYBE expressed disappointment with the ruling, stating, “It is unfortunate that our claims were not fully accepted.” The company indicated plans to appeal the decision and pursue further legal action.
OK Records, the agency founded by Min Hee-jin, released a statement expressing “deepest respect” for the court’s “careful and objective judgment.” The company affirmed its acceptance of the ruling, which validates the shareholder contract and the legitimacy of the put option rights. OK Records also apologized to fans and industry professionals for the disruption caused by the dispute, adding that Min Hee-jin intends to refocus on her creative work as a producer and manager.
The implications of this ruling extend beyond this specific case. The outcome is expected to influence other ongoing lawsuits between HYBE and Min Hee-jin. Notably, NewJeans, who previously lost a legal battle regarding their exclusive contracts, remain under Adore’s management. Adore has also filed a separate lawsuit against a former member, Daniel, his family, and Min Hee-jin, seeking 43 billion won in damages related to the dispute.
“While not a final ruling, Min Hee-jin’s victory in the put option lawsuit is significant, particularly as it addresses the core issue of the conflict with HYBE,” explained attorney Seong-ho Jeong of Neulbot Law Offices. “With HYBE’s central arguments, such as removing members, being rejected, Min Hee-jin now possesses stronger leverage in the ongoing legal proceedings.”
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