Reporter Zhang Xiaohan/Comprehensive report
The dispute between Min Hee-jin and HYBE is still ongoing in the legal arena, while NewJeans, which has garnered significant attention, continues its activities. On the 23rd, it was revealed that she intentionally delayed meeting times and ultimately decided to directly take control of the girl group that was originally slated to debut under SOURCE MUSIC, removing the relevant personnel. Her conversations with a colleague were fully disclosed.
Updated on 2024/7/23 13:14: Min Hee-jin stated, “There is no factual basis at all, and we will pursue legal action.”
▲The official debut of NewJeans consists of Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein. (Photo/Reproduced from Instagram/newjeans_official)
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According to “Dispatch,” SOURCE MUSIC has been preparing to launch a new girl group since 2018. Minji was selected in 2018, and Hanni was chosen during an international audition in November 2019. Haerin was discovered by a scout in November 2019 and signed in February 2020. Danielle signed in July 2020, and Hyein was persuaded by Su Chengzhen himself to sign in January 2021. With this, 10 trainees were gradually gathered with plans to debut in the third season of 2021.
After SOURCE MUSIC started training, Min Hee-jin began serving as the creative director in 2019. From the video revealed in the news, it is clear that the group, originally set to debut in the third quarter of 2021, was named Group N (now NewJeans), and they prepared the performance of “Attention” in March 2021 and filmed related evaluation videos.
▲2021’s N group “Attention” evaluation films. (Photo/Reproduced from Dispatch)
However, the debut of Group N was postponed indefinitely. In a conversation between Min Hee-jin and Miko in April 2021, she stated, “I have to replace all the staff of SOURCE MUSIC. I am not satisfied with any of them. I have to promote it mainly with my brand, but it is very complicated. I need to emphasize my role in the music, but I don’t know if they will comply.”
▲Min Hee-jin began her role as the creative director of Group N in 2019. (Photo/Reuters)
Min Hee-jin’s team postponed meetings citing reasons such as vacations, inconvenience, and the need for material organization. Eventually, even SOURCE MUSIC founder Su Chengzhen personally sent a message asking Min Hee-jin, but there was still no progress in the N group’s planning and meetings. Interestingly, Min Hee-jin contacted a colleague and discussed the N group plan during this period yet still failed to provide a confirmed meeting time.
Min Hee-jin continuously delayed with various excuses, attempting to steer the plan according to her desires. From her original position of creative director, to taking over the SOURCE MUSIC team as the lead negotiator in March 2021, to replacing SOURCE MUSIC’s A&R team responsible for music production in June 2021, she successfully supplanted SOURCE MUSIC as the performance director.
Gaining these significant positions, Min Hee-jin mentioned “grabbing the girl group” in her conversation with the colleague on June 30, 2021. As a result, due to these shifts, HYBE allowed the second-ranked S group (now LE SSERAFIM) to debut first, while the N group (NewJeans), initially scheduled for a third quarter debut in 2021, finally debuted in July 2022.
Furthermore, after Min Hee-jin successfully took control of Group N, she began discussing with the colleague how many groups would be ideal for debut and sent photos of the members to debate their retention or elimination. One member was even described as “a complete fool, her eyes have a second soul, she is completely (possessed by a ghost), there are dark circles under her eyes, she will go crazy soon, and it has been confirmed (eliminated).”
▲Min Hee-jin converses with the colleague. (Photo/Photo taken from Dispatch/Translated from ETtoday Starlight Cloud)
Additionally, Danielle, who is currently a member of New Jeans, was also a topic of discussion. Min Hee-jin inquired about Danielle, asking the colleague, “What about Danielle? Is she insincere? I haven’t met her in person,” but after hearing the colleague say, “I don’t know what Danielle thinks, but we can depend on her entering the U.S.,” she decided to keep Danielle in the group.
After reviewing the full report, most South Korean netizens expressed hope that the dispute between Min Hee-jin and HYBE would be resolved legally and that such news, which could spark a public opinion war, would not arise again. Many netizens also expressed deep sympathy towards SOURCE MUSIC after reading the report.
Dispute Between Min Hee-jin and HYBE: What Happened with NewJeans?
Reporter Zhang Xiaohan/Comprehensive Report
As the legal battle between Min Hee-jin and HYBE unfolds, the hit girl group NewJeans continues to generate buzz throughout the K-pop industry. Recently, it was reported that Min Hee-jin has faced allegations of deliberately delaying meetings and snatching control of a girl group initially slated to debut under SOURCE MUSIC. The revelations of her conversations with various parties, alongside the unfolding legal drama, raise numerous questions among fans and industry insiders alike.
Context of the Dispute
According to reports, the controversy erupted as Min Hee-jin, who became the creative director of SOURCE MUSIC in 2019, made significant power moves within the company. Initially, SOURCE MUSIC had been preparing to launch a new girl group since 2018, with training commencing through 2021. In April of that year, however, Min Hee-jin allegedly communicated her dissatisfaction with the SOURCE MUSIC team and began efforts to replace staff to steer the group in her desired direction.
Eventually, she expressed intentions to “grab the girl group,” leading to a rift between her ambitions and the original group schedule. Min Hee-jin’s involvement with NewJeans culminated in the group’s eventual debut in July 2022, even as the original project faced delays.
Timeline of the NewJeans Debut
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2018 | SOURCE MUSIC begins preparation for a new girl group. |
| 2019 | Minji and Hanni are selected as members. |
| 2020 | Haerin, Danielle, and Hyein join as trainees. |
| 2021 | Plans for debut are postponed; Min Hee-jin assumes more control. |
| July 2022 | NewJeans officially debuts with their self-titled EP. |
Min Hee-jin’s Role in NewJeans
Min Hee-jin’s controversial leadership came under scrutiny from various sources, leading to a succession of meetings intended to finalize plans for Group N, later renamed NewJeans. As creative director, her hands-on management approach was evident during the group’s training and debut preparations.
A significant point of contention arose when it was discovered that Min Hee-jin was keeping her distance from the SOURCE MUSIC founding team while exclusively strategizing with external contacts, further indicating her desire to control the creative direction of the group.
Allegations of Manipulation
As details began to leak, fans and netizens grew concerned about the implications of Min Hee-jin’s alleged manipulative tactics. Conversations between her and external parties revealed her intentions to eliminate some members of the group and to strategically select members based on market potential. Notably, discussions surrounding Danielle’s potential to enter the U.S. market emphasized her business-minded approach and willingness to prioritize commercial success over artistic integrity.
Insider Conversations Revealed
Records of conversations between Min Hee-jin and a confidant (referred to as “the witch”) exposed a startling level of detail about member evaluations and discussions about “eliminating” members based on superficial assessments. One member was described in a derogatory manner, demonstrating the cut-throat nature of the decision-making process that characterized the lead-up to NewJeans’ debut.
Public Reactions and Legal Ramifications
The public reaction has been mixed, with many fans expressing sympathy for the staff at SOURCE MUSIC while others are concerned about the impact of such controversies on NewJeans’ public image. Min Hee-jin has publicly denied allegations of wrongdoing, stating, “There is no factual basis at all, and we will take legal action” against those who levied claims against her.
As the legal process continues to unfold, the focus remains on how these disputes might affect the group’s future activities and reputation in the highly competitive K-pop industry.
Implications for K-pop Industry
The unfolding situation provides a case study on the complexities of management dynamics within K-pop companies. The intersection of creativity and commercial interests raises vital questions regarding artist autonomy and the role of agency management in shaping public personas. With fan engagement and transparency becoming increasingly important, recent events may compel management teams to reevaluate their strategies moving forward.
Benefits of Transparency in K-pop Management
- Enhanced Trust: Transparent communication fosters greater trust between celebrities, agencies, and fans.
- Better Fan Engagement: Open dialogues can lead to increased fan loyalty and brand development.
- Prevention of Scandals: Clarity around management decisions can minimize the risk of public relations crises.
