Former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin has publicly disclosed the enormous financial strain caused by her ongoing legal battle with entertainment giant HYBE, sharing that her legal fees have now surpassed 2.3 billion KRW (approximately 1.7 million USD).

Speaking at the ‘2024 Hyundai Card Da Vinci Motel’ event in Itaewon on September 29, Min Hee Jin, currently serving as a director at ADOR, provided rare insight into her personal and professional struggles. She remarked, “They’re filing these pointless lawsuits to either prevent me from responding or to bankrupt me if I do.”

Despite the mounting costs, Min remains resolute. “I may have to sell my house because of the lawsuits, but I thought, ‘Is this why I had a house? How lucky am I to have it—what would I have done without it?’” Her candidness underscored the extent of her determination, as she vowed to continue fighting, even if it meant sacrificing her home.

“I Have to Win”

Min Hee Jin’s legal troubles with HYBE have escalated in recent months, leaving her in a costly tug-of-war with one of the industry’s biggest players. However, she is adamant about standing her ground: “I want to punch and kick them, but without money, I can’t fight back.” She expressed gratitude for not having a husband or children to worry about in the face of overwhelming financial pressure, highlighting how the burden would have been exponentially greater with a family depending on her.

“How could an ordinary person handle debts increasing by tens of billions of KRW every three months? That’s why I decided, ‘I have to win.’ I want to prevent these kinds of fights from happening in the future,” she stated. Min sees her battle as a necessary step toward setting a precedent, ensuring that powerful corporations cannot use their financial resources to silence opposition. “Someone has to take the hits and endure so that the process becomes clear.”

Legal Battle and Confidence in Innocence

The conflict between Min Hee Jin and HYBE took a sharp turn earlier this year when the company accused her of seizing control of ADOR. She vehemently denies the allegations and remains confident in her innocence: “You can’t create a crime where there isn’t one… the truth will come out—it’s a natural law.”

Min Hee Jin also revealed plans to document her experience, hinting at the possibility of a documentary chronicling the entire ordeal. “This is a landmark case. I plan to document everything and make a documentary to reveal the entire process,” she said.

Moving Forward

Despite being dismissed from her position as CEO of ADOR last month, Min remains defiant, refusing to surrender in the face of mounting financial pressure. She emphasized how her disciplined lifestyle, free of excess or indulgence, has helped her endure the challenges: “Even the lawyers initially said they respected me. In most cases, when situations like this arise, the company card gets drained, and the person eventually surrenders.”

Min ended her remarks with confidence: “The fact that I’ve made it this far means there’s nothing for them to take. They’re just making up reasons to attack me. I’m completely unfazed.”

As the legal battle continues, Min Hee Jin’s story has become emblematic of the larger struggle between individuals and corporate giants in the entertainment industry, with her steadfastness resonating with many who feel similarly marginalized.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.