In a move that has sent shockwaves through the South Korean pop music industry, HYBE Corporation, the powerhouse behind global sensation BTS, has initiated an audit into its subsidiary label, ADOR. The audit comes amidst allegations of corporate tensions and a purported bid for independence by ADOR executives, including CEO Min Hee-Jin.
HYBE Corporation, often hailed as the biggest entity in the South Korean pop music scene, has claimed that executives within its majority-owned subsidiary, ADOR, may be attempting to break away from the conglomerate. The conglomerate has invoked its right to audit CEO Min Hee-Jin and other top executives at ADOR, citing concerns over potential efforts to seize control of the company.
According to reports from media sources in Korea, the audit targets Min Hee-Jin and one of her deputies, with computer assets seized and face-to-face statements already taken. HYBE Corporation suspects Min and her deputy of circulating confidential information to outsiders in a possible bid to attract investors who could facilitate ADOR’s independence from the parent company.
ADOR, founded in 2021 as a HYBE subsidiary, is currently 18% owned by Min Hee-Jin, a renowned hit-maker in the Korean music industry. In response to the allegations, Min issued a statement describing them as “an absurd media play” and as punishment for her criticism of Belift, another label under HYBE Corporation.
However, HYBE’s CEO, Park Ji-won, countered Min’s assertion in an email to company staff, stating that most of the claims made by ADOR executives are “not true or groundless.” Park emphasized that the plans in question were set in motion long before the debut of ILLIT, another group under HYBE, suggesting a clear attempt to seize control of the company.
The situation has escalated further with anonymous statements from an ADOR deputy, who expressed regret over the leaking of internal documents and described them as mere personal reflections. The deputy emphasized that the contents of the document had not been discussed with Min or other ADOR executives.
The controversy has drawn attention to the broader context of the K-pop industry, with HYBE Corporation seeking to diversify its acts and revenue sources. NewJeans, a group under ADOR, has enjoyed rapid stardom since its debut in 2022, with successive hits including “Hype Boy,” “Attention,” “Ditto,” and “OMG.” The group is scheduled to release a new single next month.
As tensions mount between HYBE Corporation and its subsidiary ADOR, the future direction of the label remains uncertain. With both sides exchanging allegations and accusations, the audit represents a significant development in the ongoing power struggle within one of the world’s most influential entertainment conglomerates.
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