K-Pop Earthquake: ADOR Appoints New CEO Amidst HYBE-Min Hee-jin Showdown

In a significant development shaking the very foundations of the K-pop industry, ADOR, the creative powerhouse behind the sensational girl group NewJeans, has officially announced the appointment of Lee Do-kyung as its new Chief Executive Officer. This pivotal leadership change comes amidst a fiercely public and escalating dispute between ADOR’s parent company, HYBE, and the former CEO, Min Hee-jin, drawing intense scrutiny from fans and industry observers worldwide.

The announcement follows a critical board meeting held on May 31, where HYBE, exercising its majority shareholder rights, moved to replace the existing management.

Lee Do-kyung, a seasoned professional known for his corporate acumen, steps into the top role. He is joined by new internal directors Choi So-young and Kim Joo-young, signaling a decisive restructuring of ADOR's leadership. Notably, Min Hee-jin and her allies did not attend the meeting, underscoring the deep rift that has fractured the company.

This executive overhaul is the latest chapter in a dramatic saga that began when HYBE initiated an audit of ADOR in April, alleging that Min Hee-jin attempted to usurp management control and spin off the agency from its parent company.

HYBE accused Min Hee-jin of breach of trust and sought her dismissal, citing collected evidence during their audit.

Min Hee-jin vehemently denied these allegations, launching counter-accusations against HYBE. She claimed that HYBE's new girl group, ILLIT, had plagiarized NewJeans' concept, styling, and choreography.

Furthermore, Min Hee-jin asserted that she was merely fulfilling her duties as CEO and that HYBE's actions were an attempt to silence her and remove her from her position for expressing legitimate concerns.

The legal battle has intensified, with Min Hee-jin filing an injunction against HYBE's exercise of voting rights to dismiss her at an upcoming extraordinary shareholders' meeting.

The Seoul Central District Court held a hearing on this injunction on May 17, and its decision is widely anticipated to be a crucial turning point in the dispute. Should the court side with Min Hee-jin, it could significantly complicate HYBE's efforts to remove her.

The ongoing turmoil casts a long shadow over NewJeans, whose future activities and stability are now uncertain.

Despite the internal strife, the group proceeded with the release of their double single 'How Sweet' and has plans for their official Japan debut in June, along with a world tour in 2025. However, the legal and leadership instability undoubtedly impacts the members and their dedicated fanbase, who are left to wonder about the implications for their beloved artists.

The appointment of Lee Do-kyung marks a new phase in this high-stakes corporate conflict.

As the K-pop world watches with bated breath, the resolution of this unprecedented feud between a major entertainment conglomerate and one of its most prominent creative minds will undoubtedly reshape the landscape of the industry for years to come.