In a decision that’s already stirring debate, prosecutors dropped all criminal complaints that Min Hee-jin, head of OK Records, filed against executives at HYBE and BELIFT LAB.
According to legal sources on the 11th, the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office issued non-indictment decisions on May 27 regarding Min’s accusations against six former and current HYBE executives, including ex-CEO Park Ji-won, and four BELIFT LAB executives, including CEO Kim Tae-ho, over alleged obstruction of business and defamation.
The dispute traces back to April 2024, when the HYBE–Min Hee-jin power struggle exploded. At the time, HYBE circulated a press release alleging so-called “shamanic management” — claiming Min consulted a shaman on key ADOR business matters — and that there was an attempt to terminate NewJeans’ exclusive contracts.
Min filed criminal complaints, insisting the claims were false and constituted obstruction of business and defamation. Prosecutors, however, concluded that while some language in HYBE’s release may have been exaggerated, the core assertions could not be deemed false.
Reports indicate prosecutors relied on evidence that Min discussed ADOR management issues multiple times with a shaman via KakaoTalk. They also considered prior court findings related to NewJeans’ exclusive contract issues.
Min’s complaint against BELIFT LAB met the same fate. She argued that BELIFT LAB defamed her by posting on YouTube that “ILLIT did not plagiarize NewJeans.”
Prosecutors again found no chargeable offense. Earlier court assessments noted some similarities between NewJeans’ and ILLIT’s proposals and Pictorial materials, but concluded it was difficult to deem ILLIT a copy of NewJeans.
Allegations that HYBE unlawfully accessed internal ADOR emails and KakaoTalk messages — including claims of information and communications network interference — were also dismissed. Based on security pledges and personal data consent forms signed by Min and ADOR’s former deputy CEO at hiring, along with indications that passwords had been provided, prosecutors determined HYBE accessed information under lawful audit authority.
Police had previously closed these matters without referral in July last year. Min filed an objection, prompting a supplementary investigation by prosecutors, but the final conclusion remained unchanged.
Separately, HYBE and Min Hee-jin are still locked in multiple civil disputes, including shareholder agreements and stock purchase price claims, beyond these criminal complaints.