A recently published article from MediaUs has sparked considerable discussion online with its assertion that Min Hee Jin has retreated from the ongoing public conflict with HYBE, seemingly leaving the members of NewJeans (NJZ) to independently face the legal challenges.
The article suggests that the central point of contention, initially perceived as a direct confrontation between Min Hee Jin and HYBE, underwent a transformation following the group NewJeans‘ emergency live broadcast. According to the report, the focus of the dispute shifted to a conflict between NewJeans and their agency ADOR. Since that broadcast, Min Hee Jin has reportedly maintained a lower profile, while the members of NewJeans have taken a more prominent role in articulating their position.
Min Hee Jin’s Absence from the Legal Arena
The MediaUs article proposes that Min Hee Jin‘s apparent lack of direct involvement in the legal proceedings stems from her dismissal as the CEO of ADOR. This dismissal has reportedly positioned her as an external party in the current dispute. The article further claims that any direct engagement with NewJeans could be interpreted as interference, potentially jeopardizing her legal standing in the ongoing battle.
The MediaUs report highlights a specific moment as pivotal in this shift:
The moment the dispute shifted from “Min Hee Jin vs. HYBE” to “NewJeans vs. ADOR” was during [the groups’ YouTube] live broadcast. After that, Min Hee Jin completely disappeared from the front lines, and NewJeans took center stage, continuing the fight. Since she was dismissed as ADOR’s CEO and became a third party in this matter, any further involvement in NewJeans’ decisions could raise suspicions of “tampering” — contacting artists still under contract — which could weaken her legal position. This is why NewJeans, who had always operated under Min’s influence, suddenly had to present themselves as “independent idols.”
The article also mentions unconfirmed reports suggesting that Min Hee Jin had private meetings with external business figures and even met with a NewJeans member the day before their appearance at a National Assembly hearing.
Critique of NewJeans’ Press Conference
Furthermore, the MediaUs article offers a critical perspective on NewJeans‘ recent press conference, arguing that it did not have the same impact as Min Hee Jin‘s own media briefings. The report suggests that while Min Hee Jin, in her capacity as an executive, had the flexibility to adopt various tones and approaches, NewJeans, as young idols, were constrained by their established public image. The article states that the group attempted to portray themselves as victims of mistreatment seeking the return of their former leader, but their carefully constructed public persona made them susceptible to criticism.
The MediaUs article elaborates on this point:
NewJeans’ press conference failed to leave as strong an impression as Min Hee Jin’s own conference. Unlike Min, who, as a CEO and industry executive, could speak on a range of topics with different tones, the young female idols were confined within the image they had been given. They positioned themselves as victims of mistreatment, pleading for the return of their “rightful guardian.” This is the inevitable result of the image that Min Hee Jin crafted for NewJeans—pure, passive girls. The moment any member strayed from that image, whether through their facial expressions or tone of voice, anti-fans seized the opportunity to accuse them of being “disrespectful” or “rude to adults.” The constraints placed on Min’s movements and NewJeans’ failure to win over the public were key reasons why their external campaign ultimately did not succeed.
Netizen Reactions
The commentary section of the MediaUs article has seen considerable activity, with many netizens expressing their agreement with the analysis and sharing their own opinions regarding Min Hee Jin‘s actions and the overall situation. Some of the comments include:
“Min Hee Jin’s greed ruined everything.”
“Was Min Hee Jin’s goal to ruin the kids? Is that her way of getting revenge on HYBE?”
“Why is everyone saying there’s no winner? HYBE, the victim who was blindsided by Min Hee Jin’s attack, is set to receive over ₩600 billion KRW (about $409 million USD) in compensation. They’ll win in court, too. As for the “MinJeans,” they’ll struggle for a lifetime trying to pay off their penalties.”
“I really enjoyed reading this. Thank you for the great article.”
“Min Hee Jin is currently legally restricted from contacting NewJeans. What’s the issue? Even if she tried to approach them, nothing would change.”
This report from MediaUs adds another layer to the complex and ongoing situation involving Min Hee Jin, NewJeans, and HYBE, raising questions about the dynamics of the conflict and the roles each party is currently playing.
