Min Heejin, breach of trust charges were dismissed by police after a yearlong investigation found no criminal wrongdoing. HYBE affiliates Source Music and Belift Lab later filed separate lawsuits citing reputational damage from her public remarks. Min still awaits the result of her 27.8 billion won put option lawsuit involving HYBE.
Min Heejin Cleared of Breach of Trust
On July 15, police cleared Min Heejin of breach of trust charges filed by HYBE. The decision followed an investigation that lasted more than one year. According to Min’s legal team, the police concluded that no aspect of her actions violated criminal law. The two cases, both initiated by HYBE, were formally dismissed without referral to the prosecution. Min’s representatives emphasized that this outcome confirms her legal innocence regarding the breach of trust accusations.
HYBE’s Allegations and Min Heejin’s Response
The case began in April 2023, when HYBE accused Min Heejin, then CEO of ADOR, of breach of trust and internal misconduct. HYBE claimed that Min and several ADOR executives had leaked confidential internal materials. They also alleged that she was attempting to seize control of the company. Min countered that HYBE’s 80% ownership of ADOR made any such takeover structurally impossible. Her legal team called the accusation legally ungrounded and argued that HYBE’s complaint aimed to discredit her during internal power struggles.
Civil Lawsuits Follow Breach of Trust Investigation into Min Heejin
Despite the dismissal of criminal charges, Min Heejin now faces multiple civil lawsuits filed by other labels under HYBE. The Seoul Western District Court is set to hold its third hearing on July 18 regarding two major damage claims. Source Music, home to girl group LE SSERAFIM, and Belift Lab, which manages ILLIT, both filed lawsuits demanding financial compensation. These cases are legally separate from the breach of trust allegations but are rooted in public statements Min made last year.
Source Music Lawsuit Centers on Reputation Damage
Source Music filed a civil suit seeking 500 million won in damages. The label claims that Min’s remarks at a 2023 press conference harmed the reputation of LE SSERAFIM. Min stated that HYBE had prioritized LE SSERAFIM over NewJeans and even blocked promotional activities for NewJeans before LE SSERAFIM’s debut. Source Music argues that these claims misrepresented company actions and unfairly suggested favoritism. They believe the statements damaged the public image of both the label and the group.
Fallout from Breach of Trust Accusation Against Min Heejin
Belift Lab also filed a separate lawsuit against Min Heejin in May 2024, demanding 2 billion won in damages. The company manages the girl group ILLIT, which debuted earlier this year. Min had publicly claimed that ILLIT imitated NewJeans in both concept and style. Belift Lab argues that these statements caused significant reputational harm during a crucial promotional period. The label asserts that Min’s remarks were not only inaccurate but also disruptive to ILLIT’s debut momentum and market image.
Community Reactions to Police Decision on Min Heejin and Breach of Trust
After the police decision became public, intense debate erupted on the Korean online forum MLBPARK. Supporters of Min welcomed the result, interpreting it as a strong sign that her position had been unfairly attacked. They also expressed hope that this would improve her chances in the upcoming put option lawsuit, which involves 27.8 billion won. Critics, however, claimed that the dismissal was predictable, since criminal breach of trust cannot be prosecuted in its attempted form. Some argued that HYBE filed the case only to exert psychological pressure.
Min Heejin Faces New Legal Challenges Beyond Breach of Trust
Although she is now legally clear of criminal charges, Min Heejin’s legal battles are far from over. In addition to the lawsuits from Source Music and Belift Lab, she is awaiting the outcome of a separate dispute involving her contract with HYBE. That case centers on whether she can exercise a 27.8 billion won put option tied to her ADOR stake. Unlike the breach of trust case, the put option dispute does not involve ADOR but is strictly between Min and HYBE. The resolution of this case could determine her financial future and control over her creative legacy.
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How is Min Heejin affording those insane legal fees? I thought she hasn’t even gotten her put option yet, so all she has is her salary from when she was ADOR CEO. I even heard she’s selling her house, so I really hope she has some hidden money squirreled away.