ADOR Unveils New Leadership: Lee Jae Sang and Kim Joo Young Step Up as Co-CEOs

In a significant corporate restructuring that has sent ripples through the K-pop industry, ADOR, the esteemed sub-label under HYBE, has officially announced a pivotal shift in its leadership. The company has appointed Lee Jae Sang and Kim Joo Young as its new co-CEOs, effective immediately. This strategic move sees the influential Min Hee Jin stepping down from her role as CEO, although she will continue to wield her creative magic as the dedicated general producer for the global sensation NewJeans.

The decision to appoint new co-CEOs marks a new chapter for ADOR, aiming to bolster its executive structure and operational efficiency.

Lee Jae Sang, known for his deep understanding of the entertainment business, and Kim Joo Young, with a strong background in corporate management, are poised to lead ADOR into its next phase of growth. Their combined expertise is expected to provide robust leadership, ensuring the continued success and innovation of the label's ventures.

This leadership transition unfolds against the backdrop of a widely publicized legal dispute between ADOR’s parent company, HYBE, and Min Hee Jin.

HYBE, holding an 80% stake in ADOR, had sought to exercise its voting rights to dismiss Min Hee Jin from her CEO position. However, a Seoul Central District Court recently granted a temporary injunction in favor of Min Hee Jin, preventing HYBE from immediately proceeding with her dismissal. The court's ruling acknowledged the validity of her contract with ADOR, deeming HYBE's grounds for dismissal as insufficient.

While the court's decision preserved Min Hee Jin's status and prevented her outright removal, it also left room for a negotiated settlement or an agreed-upon change in her executive role.

Her transition from CEO to solely focusing on NewJeans' production role appears to be a direct consequence of these ongoing discussions and legal implications. This arrangement allows Min Hee Jin to continue guiding the creative direction of NewJeans, a group she conceptualized and launched to unprecedented success, while a new executive team takes the reins of the company's day-to-day operations and strategic business development.

The appointment of co-CEOs Lee Jae Sang and Kim Joo Young, alongside Min Hee Jin’s continued creative leadership, signifies ADOR's commitment to maintaining stability and fostering the artistic integrity of its flagship group.

This restructured leadership aims to navigate the complexities of the music industry while ensuring that NewJeans remains at the forefront of K-pop, delivering the unique sound and captivating concepts that fans worldwide have come to adore.