Hybe - CMU | the music business explained

Yet more K-pop legal drama as Ador founder hits back at contract tampering claims, and agency sues one of NewJeans

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Hybe • 3 min read

Yet more K-pop legal drama as Ador founder hits back at contract tampering claims, and agency sues one of NewJeans

After trying to quit HYBE’s Ador label, K-pop group NewJeans last year agreed to carry on working with the company. But then the label announced it was axing and suing one member, while also accusing Ador founder Min Hee-jin of contract tampering, something she denied at a press conference today…

Chris Cooke • 28 Jan 2026

With NewJeans v HYBE legal ruling due, Ador’s founder Min launches new agency

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NewJeans • 3 min read

With NewJeans v HYBE legal ruling due, Ador’s founder Min launches new agency

A judge is due to rule this week on the legal battle between HYBE’s Ador and NewJeans - it is trying to enforce its contract with the group, who quit the agency after CEO Min Hee-jin was pushed out. With that ruling incoming, Min has now launched another K-pop agency called Ooak…

Chris Cooke • 28 Oct 2025

HYBE founder returning to Korea to deal with mounting controversies, he tells staff in leaked memo

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Hybe • 2 min read

HYBE founder returning to Korea to deal with mounting controversies, he tells staff in leaked memo

HYBE founder Bang Si-hyuk has told staff that he is returning to Korea to “transparently work” with officials investigating allegations he misled investors ahead of the company’s IPO. Bang has been in the US of late, which he says “contributed to confusion and frustration” around the investigation…

Chris Cooke • 07 Aug 2025

HYBE’s headquarters raided twice in one week as legal issues spiral

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Hybe • 2 min read

HYBE’s headquarters raided twice in one week as legal issues spiral

The Seoul HQ of K-pop company HYBE has been raided twice in the last week, first by officials investigating fraud allegations against founder Bang Si-hyuk and then today by tax inspectors. Both raids relate to allegations of misconduct around HYBE’s 2020 initial public offering…

Chris Cooke • 29 Jul 2025

South Korean regulator refers HYBE founder to prosecutors over IPO fraud allegations

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Hybe • 2 min read

South Korean regulator refers HYBE founder to prosecutors over IPO fraud allegations

The financial regulator in South Korea has referred its investigation into fraud allegations against HYBE founder Bang Si-hyuk to prosecutors. Meanwhile police have ended an investigation into complaints made by HYBE against Ador founder Min Hee-jin concluding there is no case for criminal charges…

Chris Cooke • 17 Jul 2025

Ador founder says HYBE carries “burden of proof” in dispute over terminated shareholder agreement

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Ador • 2 min read

Ador founder says HYBE carries “burden of proof” in dispute over terminated shareholder agreement

The dispute between HYBE and the founder of its Ador label, Min Hee-Jin, was in court last week. Min has since issued a statement criticising HYBE over its conduct in the dispute, insisting it has the burden of proof to show it legally terminated a shareholders agreement and dismissed her as CEO…

Chris Cooke • 22 Apr 2025

South Korean police arrest eight over HYBE artist deepfakes

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Hybe • 3 min read

South Korean police arrest eight over HYBE artist deepfakes

Police in South Korea have arrested eight people in relation to deepfake videos featuring the likeness of artists represented by K-pop company HYBE. It’s part of HYBE’s ongoing work to combat harmful content targeting or featuring its artists, which includes a particular focus on deepfakes…

Chris Cooke • 11 Apr 2025

NewJeans rebrand socials to mhdhh_friends as “unique” legal battle with Ador rumbles on

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NewJeans • 3 min read

NewJeans rebrand socials to mhdhh_friends as “unique” legal battle with Ador rumbles on

The legal battle between NewJeans and HYBE’s Ador was in court in Seoul last week, with the judge observing that this is a “unique” dispute because it centres on a loss of trust rather than unpaid royalties. Shortly after the hearing NewJeans removed their new name, NJZ, from social media accounts…

Chris Cooke • 07 Apr 2025

NewJeans on enforced hiatus after court says no activity without Ador’s involvement

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NewJeans • 3 min read

NewJeans on enforced hiatus after court says no activity without Ador’s involvement

NewJeans are on hiatus after HYBE’s Ador secured an injunction from the courts last week preventing the group from pursuing any projects without its involvement. The hiatus was announced at a show in Hong Kong where the group performed under their new name NJZ, much to the annoyance of Ador…

Chris Cooke • 24 Mar 2025

NewJeans bumper PowerPoint doesn’t convince judge as court tells band to present stronger evidence for claims against Ador

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NewJeans • 3 min read

NewJeans bumper PowerPoint doesn’t convince judge as court tells band to present stronger evidence for claims against Ador

A court in Seoul last week considered a request by HYBE agency Ador for an injunction stopping NewJeans from entering into new deals while it pursues legal action to enforce its contract with the group. The judge told NewJeans to restructure their list of reasons for terminating their Ador deal…

Chris Cooke • 11 Mar 2025

K-pop labels and agencies want new laws against contract tampering, but no other regulation, as Ador v NewJeans dispute continues

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NewJeans • 4 min read

K-pop labels and agencies want new laws against contract tampering, but no other regulation, as Ador v NewJeans dispute continues

With the ongoing very public dispute between NewJeans and HYBE’s Ador still grabbing the headlines in South Korea, resulting in proposals for regulating the K-pop business, five trade groups for the Korean music industry have said the focus of law-makers should be so called “tampering practices”…

Chris Cooke • 21 Feb 2025

NewJeans are now NJZ, as court dates set for Ador legal battle

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NewJeans • 2 min read

NewJeans are now NJZ, as court dates set for Ador legal battle

K-pop group NewJeans have announced a rebrand as NJZ as a result of their legal dispute with former label Ador. They will start performing under the new name next month, just as legal action by Ador - which is seeking to enforce its contract with the group - arrives in court…

Chris Cooke • 07 Feb 2025