In a groundbreaking ruling that sent shockwaves through the K-pop industry, former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin won her put option lawsuit against HYBE on February 12, 2026. The Seoul Central District Court dismissed HYBE’s claims and ordered the entertainment giant to pay approximately ₩25.5 billion (around $17.6 million USD) plus legal costs.
Min Hee Jin Court’s Verdict Explained
Judge Nam In Soo ruled that Min’s exercise of her put option—a contractual right allowing shareholders to sell their stakes back to the company—was completely legitimate. The court found no serious breach of the shareholder agreement, rejecting HYBE’s July 2024 termination notice that claimed Min attempted to “take NewJeans away.”
| Recipient | Position | Amount Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Min Hee Jin | Former ADOR CEO | ₩25.5 billion (~$17.6M USD) |
| Former VP Shin | Vice President | ₩1.7 billion (~$1.2M USD) |
| Former Director Kim | Creative Director | ₩1.4 billion (~$970K USD) |
What Triggered the Legal Battle?
The conflict erupted in April 2024 amid allegations of management tampering and NewJeans discrimination. Min resigned from ADOR in November 2024 and immediately exercised her put option worth approximately ₩26 billion. Under their shareholder agreement, the calculation multiplied ADOR’s average operating profit from two years by 13, then took 75% of her 18% stake (573,160 shares).
The court acknowledged that Min explored ADOR’s independence but emphasized this was premised on obtaining HYBE’s consent. Regarding the ILLIT plagiarism controversy, judges noted HYBE itself provided NewJeans materials to BELIFT LAB, making similarity claims valid opinions rather than factual misstatements.
What Happens Next?
HYBE announced plans to appeal the decision. Meanwhile, a separate ₩43 billion damages lawsuit filed by ADOR against Min regarding NewJeans’ departure remains under review. Min has since launched Ooak Records, while NewJeans members face uncertain futures—some returning to ADOR, others in ongoing negotiations.
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