Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin directly commented after winning the first trial in the lawsuit over termination of the shareholder agreement and the put option with HYBE.
Min released a statement on the 12th saying, Today I received the court's decision. First, I sincerely offer my great thanks to the bench for impartially sorting out right and wrong after a long trial process. I also extend my heartfelt thanks, which words cannot fully express, to the many people who trusted and supported me for a long time despite it being someone else's matter
He said, Through the judiciary's judgment, I pay my respects to the bench for confirming the legitimacy of the shareholder agreement, and I hope this decision becomes a turning point for Korea's K-pop industry to self-correct and improve. I hope it serves as an opportunity to once again remind people how serious contracts and promises are in the K-pop industry and whether they adequately represent creators' positions. I also want to send comfort and encouragement to those standing up against various injustices in unseen places
He added, I feel deeply sorry to fans and industry officials who may have felt fatigue unintentionally during the dispute. I hope that HYBE and we can now move beyond mutual emotions and past disputes and together consider how this industry we belong to can sustain itself more healthily
He also outlined his future plans, saying, I want to shake off the exhausting disputes from my life now. I will return to my place. Not to defeat someone, but to devote all my energy to what I most want to do, what I love most, and what I do best — that is, to giving everyone inspiration and creating new culture
Finally, he said, Realizing one by one the blueprints I have envisioned with ooak and becoming a strong fence that allows our creators and artists to freely showcase their talents is the only thing I must do now. I will surprise you with great music and performances going forward
Meanwhile, on the 12th, the Civil Case Division 31 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Nam In-soo) ruled in favor of Min in the suit filed by Min against HYBE seeking payment for stock purchase. At the same time, the court dismissed HYBE's suit seeking confirmation of termination of the shareholder agreement
HYBE issued an official statement that afternoon, saying, We regret that our arguments were not sufficiently accepted. After reviewing the judgment, we plan to proceed with future legal steps such as an appeal
The following is Min Hee-jin's full statement.
Hello, this is Min Hee-jin, CEO of ooak.
Today I received the court's decision. First, I sincerely offer my great thanks to the bench for impartially sorting out right and wrong after a long trial process. I also extend my heartfelt thanks, which words cannot fully express, to the many people who trusted and supported me for a long time despite it being someone else's matter
The past two years taught me many things. Looking back, before the dispute I worked like crazy but I don't think I truly enjoyed that work. Ironically, through this dispute I realized how much I love my work and how precious it is to me
It was a grueling process, but because it was time spent protecting the essence of what I love most — creation and production — it was a valuable journey. Even though it was a pain I never wanted to experience, I think even that pain was not entirely bad
I pay my respects to the bench for confirming the legitimacy of the shareholder agreement through the judiciary's judgment, and I hope this decision becomes a turning point for Korea's K-pop industry to self-correct and improve. I hope it serves as an opportunity to once again remind people how serious contracts and promises are in the K-pop industry and whether they adequately represent creators' positions. I also want to send comfort and encouragement to those standing up against various injustices in unseen places
I feel deeply sorry to fans and industry officials who may have felt fatigue unintentionally during the dispute. I hope that HYBE and we can now move beyond mutual emotions and past disputes and together consider how this industry we belong to can sustain itself more healthily
I again express my indescribable gratitude in words to the fans who worried about me more than I did for a long time and to the members of ooak. The fans saved me, and thanks to you I was able to endure to the end and prove myself
I want to shake off the exhausting disputes from my life now. I will return to my place. Not to defeat someone, but to devote all my energy to what I most want to do, what I love most, and what I do best — that is, to giving everyone inspiration and creating new culture
Realizing one by one the blueprints I have envisioned with ooak and becoming a strong fence that allows our creators and artists to freely showcase their talents is the only thing I must do now
I will surprise you with great music and performances going forward.
Thank you.
Feb. 12, 2026 Min Hee-jin dream<
[Photo] OSEN DB
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