Min Hee-jin, former CEO of ADOR, has been reinstated as an internal director. But with questions surrounding her role and the company’s true intentions, is this a real comeback or just a superficial move by HYBE?
Min Hee-jin, the creative powerhouse behind NewJeans and former CEO of ADOR, has made her return to the company—but not in the role many had anticipated. During an extraordinary shareholders meeting on October 17, 2024, Min was reinstated as an internal director, a move that has sparked curiosity and raised questions about whether this is a genuine comeback or a symbolic gesture orchestrated by HYBE.
A Change in Title: Internal Director vs. CEO
Min Hee-jin's return to ADOR comes with a shift in responsibility. While her new role as internal director is significant, it falls short of her previous position as CEO. The title change signals a reduction in her executive power, leaving many to wonder if this is simply a temporary solution or a deliberate step by HYBE to keep her influence contained.
The difference between an internal director and a CEO is crucial. A CEO has full control over the company’s day-to-day operations and strategic decisions, while an internal director is limited to a more advisory role within the company’s board. Min’s reduced role could limit her ability to influence the future direction of ADOR and NewJeans as much as she did in her previous position
Show of Support or Strategic Maneuver?
HYBE and ADOR have portrayed this reinstatement as a resolution to the ongoing tensions surrounding Min’s ousting. However, Min Hee-jin herself has been vocal about her dissatisfaction with the current arrangement. In a recent interview, she clarified that she is no longer a producer or CEO and that her internal director role comes with limited power, referring to the situation as “ambiguous.”
She has also expressed concerns about what she describes as “poisonous clauses” in her contract, which have yet to be removed, despite the company’s attempts at compromise. “The offer to extend my contract was nothing but wordplay,” Min remarked, emphasizing that the situation remains far from resolved
The Bigger Question: HYBE’s Intentions
With Min’s return as an internal director, many fans and industry insiders are speculating whether this is just a show by HYBE to quiet dissent and maintain public relations. Some see this as a "symbolic gesture" rather than a meaningful reinstatement of her authority. The company has allowed her to stay involved with NewJeans as a producer, but without the title and full power of a CEO, her creative control could be severely limited.
Min has already filed an injunction requesting reinstatement as CEO, indicating that this fight is far from over. As the legal battle continues, the question remains: is HYBE genuinely trying to retain Min Hee-jin’s influence, or is this a calculated move to limit her power while appearing to offer a compromise?
Min Hee-jin's return to ADOR is certainly a pivotal moment for both her and the company, but with so many unresolved issues, it’s unclear how much influence she will truly have going forward. As the situation develops, fans of NewJeans and industry watchers alike will be keen to see whether this move is a strategic game by HYBE or the start of Min's full return to power.
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