Former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin has officially launched a new entertainment company, One of A Kind (OK Co., Ltd.), just weeks before a crucial court ruling that will decide the future of the hit girl group NewJeans. The new agency, registered on October 16, is located in Seoul’s Gangnam district and will manage artists, produce music, and handle event planning. This move sets the stage for a potential reunion with NewJeans, should the court allow them to break their contracts with ADOR in a final verdict expected on October 30.
The New Agency: One of A Kind
Min Hee Jin has established her new venture, One of A Kind (OK Co., Ltd.), marking her official return to the K-pop industry. Corporate registration was completed on October 16. The company’s stated business purposes include celebrity management, music and album production, distribution, and performance and event organization. The agency is situated in the trendy Garosu-gil area of Gangnam, Seoul.
This development occurs almost a year after Min Hee Jin’s departure from ADOR in November 2024, following a very public dispute with HYBE, ADOR’s parent company. Industry observers immediately began speculating that the primary reason for founding the new agency is to sign NewJeans, the group she originally created and managed.
The Pending Court Decision on NewJeans
The fate of NewJeans now rests with the judicial system. The Seoul Central District Court is set to issue its first verdict on October 30 regarding a lawsuit filed by ADOR. The label is seeking to confirm the validity of its exclusive contracts with the five NewJeans members: Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein.
The group had previously attempted to nullify their contracts and operate independently under the name NJZ. However, the court granted ADOR’s injunction request, effectively banning NewJeans from any independent entertainment activities. The court warned that any activities carried out under the NJZ name would result in a penalty of 1 billion KRW per member, per occurrence. This injunction has forced the group into a hiatus since March.
A Broader Debate on Industry Practices
The legal battle has sparked a wider conversation about the treatment of artists in South Korea’s entertainment industry. On October 22, a coalition of 32 prominent South Korean figures issued a public statement opposing the activity ban on NewJeans and criticizing the country’s standard entertainment contracts.
The signatories included former National Assembly member Son Hye Won, professors, lawyers, and former ambassadors. Their statement expressed deep concern over the group’s enforced inactivity.
“We find it deeply unfortunate that due to a provisional injunction, NewJeans are, in effect, prohibited from engaging in any form of entertainment or artistic activities,” the statement read.
The group highlighted a key structural issue, comparing the South Korean system to that of the United States. They pointed out that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s standard contract ties an artist to a single agency for up to seven years while placing most obligations on the artist. They argued that in the U.S., a certified agency system helps protect artists’ interests, allowing for contract renegotiation or free-agent status.
The statement also noted the significant profits generated by NewJeans, suggesting that HYBE’s operating profit alone was nearly four times its initial investment in ADOR after the group’s debut. The coalition strongly urged the South Korean government to consider introducing a U.S.-style certified agency system to prevent similar disputes.
The History of the HYBE and ADOR Conflict
The current situation is the culmination of a protracted and public struggle. The conflict erupted into public view in April 2024 when HYBE launched an audit and filed a complaint against Min Hee Jin, accusing her of attempting to seize control of ADOR to become independent. Min denied these allegations and counter-attacked, releasing statements that accused HYBE of allowing its other label, Belift Lab, to copy NewJeans’ concept with its new girl group ILL-IT.
In a surprise move, the members of NewJeans themselves broke their silence in September 2024 during a live broadcast, demanding Min Hee Jin’s reinstatement as CEO. However, the court later denied Min’s request for an injunction to be reappointed as ADOR’s CEO. Min ultimately resigned as an internal director of ADOR in November 2024, officially severing ties with HYBE.
Further complicating matters, Min Hee Jin was recently found guilty of workplace harassment against a former ADOR employee by the Seoul Western District Court. Parallel to the NewJeans case, Min remains in litigation with HYBE over the termination of their shareholder agreement.
As the October 30 court date approaches, the entire K-pop industry is watching closely. The verdict will not only determine the immediate future of one of its most popular groups but could also have lasting implications for artist-agency relationships in South Korea.
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