BTS member V (Kim Taehyung) has publicly addressed a situation where his private text conversations with former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin were used as evidence in a high-stakes court battle between Min and HYBE. The singer expressed shock and made it clear he was not taking sides in the dispute.
The development came to light on February 20, 2026, following reports about the first-instance ruling in the lawsuit filed by Min Hee-jin and ADOR shareholders against HYBE. The court ordered HYBE to pay Min Hee-jin 25.5 billion Korean won (approximately $17.7 million USD) .
V’s Response on Social Media
After Korean media published details of the court judgment, which included references to his private KakaoTalk messages, V took to his Instagram Stories to share his thoughts. He posted a screenshot of a news article related to Min and wrote a statement addressing the situation directly .
V explained that the conversations were never meant to become public. “These were parts of private conversations I shared out of empathy, as she was an acquaintance,” he wrote . He emphasized that his words were simply part of a casual exchange between people who knew each other.
The BTS member also made it clear where he stands in the ongoing conflict between Min and HYBE. “I have no intention of taking sides with either party,” V stated firmly .
What seemed to trouble him most was how his personal messages ended up in a legal proceeding. “I find it very shocking that these conversations were submitted as evidence without my consent,” he added .
What the Messages Said
According to court documents and media reports, the KakaoTalk conversation between V and Min Hee-jin touched on the plagiarism allegations that had surrounded HYBE’s rookie girl group ILLIT . At the time of ILLIT’s debut, many fans and observers pointed out similarities between the new group and Min’s group NewJeans.
In the messages that were submitted as evidence, V reportedly told Min: “(There’s always talk of plagiarism, and it’s not once not been mentioned) Huh… that’s what. I took a look as well and thought, ‘Oh, this is kinda similar’” .
Another version of the message cited in reports said: “(About how plagiarism accusations always come up and are never absent) Yeah… I know, right. I also looked at it and thought, ‘Ah, this is similar…’” .
The court specifically noted that V’s comment was about the overall impression of similarity, not a detailed factual claim about specific copied elements .
HYBE Responds to the Situation
Following V’s statement, HYBE also issued its own response to confirm the artist’s position. A source from the agency told Korean media that V’s messages were simply an expression of empathy toward someone he knew .
“Since it was a private conversation with an acquaintance, it was intended to express empathy, not to agree with any specific remarks from the other party,” a HYBE representative explained to OSEN .
The agency added: “The artist also wanted to express dissatisfaction about the private conversation being submitted as court evidence without consent” .
HYBE confirmed that V had no prior knowledge that his personal texts would become part of any legal filing .
The Court’s View on the Plagiarism Claim
The court that handled the case between Min Hee-jin and HYBE made an important distinction regarding the plagiarism accusations. The judges ruled that Min’s claim of “ILLIT copying NewJeans” was a legitimate expression of opinion rather than a factual statement or defamation .
According to the judgment, the court viewed Min’s comments as “a simple opinion or value judgment” about the overall impression of similarity between the two groups . This meant her statements were protected as personal views rather than treated as verifiable facts that could be proven true or false.
The court also noted that V’s messages, which acknowledged noticing similarities, were consistent with this interpretation. His words were seen as supporting the idea that the similarity was a matter of perception rather than an objective claim .
V and Min Hee-jin’s Professional Relationship
The connection between V and Min Hee-jin goes back several years. Min served as the total producer for V’s debut solo album “Layover,” which released in 2023 . At the time, V specifically requested that she take charge of the entire production process, including music, choreography, design, and promotion.
Big Hit Music confirmed back then that V personally wanted Min to handle his album, showing the trust and respect he had for her creative vision .
Even after the legal disputes began, Min mentioned in a YouTube interview that V occasionally contacted her from the military to check on her well-being. She described him as someone who is “smart, bright in personality,” and “kind, warm” . According to Min, V sent congratulatory messages early on her birthday even while serving in the military.
This professional history helps explain why the two were having private conversations in the first place. Their connection was based on a genuine working relationship and mutual respect.
The Broader Legal Battle
The case that brought these messages to light is part of a much larger conflict between Min Hee-jin and HYBE. The dispute began in 2024 when HYBE accused Min of attempting to take independent control of ADOR, the subsidiary label that manages NewJeans .
Min, who is widely credited as the creative force behind NewJeans’ success, fought back with her own legal actions. The recent ruling on February 12, 2026, was a significant victory for Min, with the court ordering HYBE to pay her 25.5 billion won . The court also dismissed HYBE’s lawsuit seeking to confirm the termination of its shareholder agreement with Min .
However, the legal fight is far from over. HYBE filed an appeal on February 19, 2026, showing its determination to continue challenging the court’s decision .
Also Read:
What This Means for V
For V, this situation has dragged him into a corporate dispute he never asked to be part of. His comments show someone who values his personal relationships but also wants to stay neutral in a professional conflict between his agency and someone he once worked closely with.
The fact that his private messages were submitted without his knowledge or agreement raises questions about privacy boundaries in legal proceedings. V’s reaction—calling it “very shocking” and “upsetting”—reflects how most people would feel if their casual texts ended up in court documents .
Fans have rallied around V online, with many expressing support for his position. Comments on social media platforms show understanding for someone caught between a former collaborator and their own company.
For international audiences following this story, the court documents and V’s response have been widely reported across Korean and global media outlets. Fans in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India can access detailed coverage through major entertainment news platforms and Korean media English translations .
The first-instance court ruling documents are available through Korean legal databases, though the full text is primarily in Korean. International fans have been relying on translated summaries provided by news outlets like Chosun Ilbo.
HYBE has not made any official statement about whether they will seek to have V’s messages removed from the court record, but the agency has confirmed they support his position on the matter .
Also Read: Blue Lock Chapter 337 Release Date, Global Time, and Match Recap Before New Chapter
For more updates on K-pop and entertainment news, keep visiting VvipTimes for the latest stories from around the world.
