Doubts raised about ADOR's official position, HYBE responds, CEO denies takeover plan, audit initiated.
April/23/2024 19:04Related Groups & Members
Yesterday, doubts were raised about the official position announced by ADOR. According to Korean media, HYBE replied via email to Min Hee-jin's allegations regarding the "NewJeans copy (imitation) suspicion" of BELIFT LAB's group ILLIT around 10 a.m. on the 22nd. The content of the email was confirmed to be six pages long, and it was confirmed that she received the relevant document by email. The timing of HYBE's response was one day earlier than the deadline set by Min Hee-jin (23rd). Despite receiving a response, Min Hee-jin still released a statement in the afternoon of the 22nd, claiming the "ILLIT's NewJeans copy suspicion" and explaining that "HYBE and BELIFT LAB have been reluctant to admit their mistakes and make excuses, dragging out the time." However, this was not true, as HYBE had already replied to her allegations as being untrue on the morning of the 22nd. Additionally, on April 22nd, HYBE demanded a shareholders' meeting for ADOR's directors and sent a resignation request to Min Hee-jin. HYBE's audit team reportedly became aware of Min Hee-jin's recent attempt to pressure HYBE by partnering with one of ADOR's management to sell HYBE's shares in ADOR (80%) to a private equity fund (PEF). The audit team of HYBE also prepared to establish an independent corporation to take out the members of NewJeans in case Min Hee-jin's pressure strategy to sell to private equity did not work. There were also suspicions that Min Hee-jin was preparing a strategy to shift the huge penalty risk of NewJeans, which had been less than two years since its debut, to HYBE by terminating the contract between NewJeans and ADOR. In response, Min Hee-jin released an official statement on the 22nd, claiming that she had never tried to take over the management rights of ADOR. She showed a position that she was under retaliatory counterattacks from HYBE, which began with internal whistleblowing such as raising suspicions of NewJeans copying by ILLIT. As the discussion spread, HYBE's CEO Park Ji-won stated, "This case has made it clear that there was a plan to take over the company, and we will start an audit to confirm and correct this. If the contents that have already been confirmed to some extent internally and externally are further clarified through this audit, the company will take clear measures against responsible parties," and commented, "I hope that the staff will not be too distracted by the current reports. Currently, the responsible parties are not properly responding to the company's legitimate audit and are refusing to answer, and what they are claiming is mostly not true or baseless."
Related Articles
ILLIT's 4th mini-album 'MAMIHLAPINATAPAI' achieves a new personal best on the Billboard 200, ranking 26th. The album tops several charts, including Billboard's 'World Albums' and 'Top Dance Albums'. The title track 'It's Me' gains significant popularity, ranking high on various platforms and sparking viral trends.
Fuji TV announces a new summer event, 'Mezamashi WANGAN Fest,' featuring 3 Korean groups. The event runs from August 3-9 and 13-14 in Tokyo, showcasing music and comedy. Notable acts include ILLIT and NCT WISH, with a strong lineup generating excitement for future announcements.
Wonhee from ILLIT is set to debut her first solo variety show titled 'Wonhee is 20' on June 6. The show will feature her tackling a bucket list alongside older female mentors, highlighting her growth and experiences as she turns 20. The program aims to resonate with viewers through shared dreams and heartfelt moments.
Yuna from ILLIT disclosed that she obtained her driver's license earlier this year during an appearance on YouTube's 'TEO'. She shared her feelings of adulthood upon receiving her license and recounted her experiences driving, including a practice session with fellow member Minju. The conversation included humorous exchanges about driving and life aspirations.
Moka from ILLIT made her first public appearance since announcing a health-related hiatus at the Seoul Children's Grand Park Festival. She surprised fans with a performance, including the new song 'It's Me,' and showcased her recovery by dancing on stage, receiving a warm welcome from the audience.
ILLIT arrived at Gimpo International Airport in Korea on the afternoon of the 4th after their performance at JAPAN JAM 2026 in Chiba was canceled due to strong winds. They had left for Japan on the 3rd to participate in the music festival. Fans are excited for their comeback with a new song described as 'spicy like hot pot.'
ILLIT departed for Japan to perform at JAPAN JAM 2026, but the event was canceled due to strong winds making the venue unsafe and causing transportation issues. The organizers prioritized the safety of participants and expressed regret for the disappointment caused to attendees and artists alike. 28 acts were scheduled to perform, including ILLIT, ME:I, and Da-iCE.
Wonhee of ILLIT garnered attention on tvN's 'Surprising Saturday' as a special MC, discussing her recent weight loss. She humorously described her appearance as a 'foreign exchange student' and confirmed she has lost weight since turning 20, surprising the cast and expressing her determination to bring energy to the show.
ILLIT's 4th mini-album 'MAMIHLAPINATAPAI' sold 276,145 copies on its release day, topping the HANTEO chart and gaining global acclaim. The title track 'It's Me' charted in multiple countries, showcasing ILLIT's international appeal. Their performance on Mnet's 'M COUNTDOWN' received rave reviews, highlighting their captivating style and powerful dance moves.
ILLIT's 'Magnetic' surpasses 800 million streams on Spotify, setting a record for the fastest K-POP debut song to reach this milestone. The track, from their 1st mini-album 'SUPER REAL ME', features catchy lyrics and a danceable sound. They recently released their 4th mini-album and will host a festival to celebrate, offering fans an unforgettable experience.
