One strand of the multi-layered legal battle between HYBE and the founder and former CEO of its Ador agency, Min Hee-jin, has come to an end. South Korean prosecutors have decided not to charge HYBE execs for criminal defamation over claims Min consulted shamans for advice when running the company and the careers of its artist NewJeans.
Ten execs at the K-pop powerhouse were investigated over defamation, plagiarism and privacy claims, including former HYBE CEO Park Ji-won and the boss of another HYBE subsidiary, Belift Lab’s Kim Tae-ho. Officials confirmed earlier today that no charges will be pursued against any of them.
It’s interesting that prosecutors were even involved in this dispute, given most of Min’s grievances - especially her allegation that HYBE was liable for defamation over the shaman claims - would have been the subject of civil litigation rather than a criminal investigation in North America or Europe.
But criminal defamation proceedings are much more common in South Korea and convictions can result in prison sentences of up to seven years.
The defamation allegations related to statements made by HYBE in 2024 as its relationship with Min was starting to fall apart leading to her being pushed out of the Ador CEO role that summer. Among other things HYBE claimed that Min had consulted shamans for advice on how to run Ador.
According to The Korean Herald, prosecutors rejected Min’s defamation claim because she did indeed consult shamans while running the agency. We knew that because HYBE previously revealed conversations between Min and a shaman on the Korean messaging app KakaoTalk.
Prosecutors conceded that HYBE exaggerated the role played by the shamans when discussing Min’s interactions with them, but that didn’t constitute ‘defamation by false information’.
The allegations against Belift Lab related to claims it copied choreography and styling employed by NewJeans for its group Illit. But again prosecutors concluded there wasn’t a criminal case to answer.
While the criminal element of this dispute may be over, some of the civil litigation that resulted from the fall out between HYBE and Min continues. Indeed there was a hearing earlier today relating to HYBE’s lawsuit that claims Min, while still running Ador, tried to persuade NewJeans to leave the HYBE empire.
NewJeans member Danielle is also a defendant in that case because of allegations her uncle conspired with Min to try to find a way to move NewJeans to a non-HYBE agency. Min and Danielle deny any wrong doing.