Currently, the hottest topic in K-pop revolves around the intense feud between ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin and entertainment label HYBE.
Particularly, back on the morning of April 22, the management of ADOR – NewJeans’ agency, was investigated by HYBE for suspected leak of confidential information and simultaneously demanded the resignation of CEO Min Hee-jin.
Facing allegations from HYBE, Min Hee-jin publicly retaliated, refuting all claims and instead accusing HYBE of copying NewJeans’ concept for ILLIT.
Due to this action by the female CEO, fans of ILLIT and NewJeans have divided into two “warring” factions. Meanwhile, netizens actively “dig up” old actions and remarks of NewJeans.
Most notably among them, however, one post by NewJeans’ youngest member Hyein has attracted attention. In the photo she posted, eagle-eyed netizens spotted the words “Stop Copying.” More noteworthy is that the photo was published on March 25, 2024 – the day ILLIT officially debuted with the MV “Magnetic” and E.P “Super Real Me.”
The coincidence in timing has sparked numerous speculations. Netizens speculate that Hyein may have implicitly criticized the younger girl group for copying her style. This speculation arises as Korean media previously reported that NewJeans supported Min Hee-jin in the “family feud” with HYBE.
However, all of this is mere speculation. Amidst the stormy feud, NewJeans has not made any direct related moves. NewJeans fans also pointed out that the photo Hyein posted on March 25, 2024, did not have ill intentions towards ILLIT, as it can be proven that the photo with the caption “Stop copying” was taken on December 31, 2023.
On the other hand, HYBE CEO Park Ji Won sent an encouraging letter to the company’s employees. In it, Park Ji Won denied the accusation of ILLIT imitating and expressed the stance of “preserving NewJeans.”
At the same time, with the feud between HYBE and Min Hee-jin being yet to be resolved. NewJeans fans are extremely anxious as the girl group’s comeback date approaches.
