TRANSLATION OF A NAVER ARTICLE: MHJ Calling NewJeans "PIGS!"

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https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/415/0000028357

These were the words of ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin during a press conference last April, where she proudly highlighted her close relationship with the NEWJEANS members. CEO Min, who created NEWJEANS and refers to herself as ‘NEWJEANS Mom,’ has strongly voiced her commitment to protecting the members, even if it strains her relationship with the parent company, HYBE. She has also built a trusting relationship with the parents of the NEWJEANS members, who have sided with her against HYBE and even given media interviews in support of her. This solidarity was achieved under the premise that ‘Min Hee-jin = NEWJEANS Mom.’

However, on the 17th, questions arose about whether the trust between CEO Min Hee-jin and NEWJEANS was mutual or one-sided.

On this day, CEO Min filed for a provisional injunction against HYBE to prevent them from exercising voting rights, leading to an interrogation at the Seoul Central District Court's Civil Agreement Division 50, presided over by Chief Judge Sang-hoon Kim.

HYBE, which is preparing to dismiss CEO Min, refutes her self-proclaimed title of 'NEWJEANS Mom.' They submitted as evidence messages that CEO Min typically sends to company employees about the NEWJEANS members, challenging her claims of a close and protective relationship.

CEO Min Hee-jin made disparaging remarks about NEWJEANS, saying, "I always tell them to be humble. Even though they gain weight like pigs, they are still gaining popularity." She added, "They act cool and say cool things during their acceptance speeches, but if they don't greet me properly, I feel like I want to kill them."

Min further criticized NEWJEANS' abilities, stating, "They're not popular because they're talented. What do they know? Just look in the mirror," referring to them as "elementary school students who can't lose even an inch of weight," and remarked, "Wow, they're so fat." Her evaluations focused solely on their appearance, setting harsh standards based on looks.

At a press conference in April, CEO Min Hee-jin emphasized her strong relationship with NEWJEANS members. However, she made some unnecessary comments, such as "Minji was really pretty when she was young" and "Hyein is really stubborn." At the time, these remarks were seen as slips of the tongue driven by her intense emotions, but conversations with employees revealed that her true thoughts were likely emerging.

During the press conference, CEO Min Hee-jin strongly denied allegations of attempting to seize control of ADOR's management, insisting, "I have never met any investor." She claimed that HYBE was conspiring to oust her by misinterpreting her emotional conversations with employees.

However, new evidence has surfaced that contradicts CEO Min Hee-jin's explanation. On the 17th, Naver and Dunamu confirmed they had met with CEO Min Hee-jin to discuss an investment proposal. Dunamu is notably the third-largest shareholder in HYBE.

During her meetings with Naver and Dunamu officials, CEO Min Hee-jin reportedly suggested, "Press HYBE to leave ADOR." These interactions were communicated to HYBE, leading to an internal audit of CEO Min Hee-jin. According to HYBE, related conversation records were found on CEO Min Hee-jin's PC following her meetings with Naver and Dunamu for the investment proposal.

Additionally, CEO Min Hee-jin has reportedly shown considerable disregard and contempt for employees, particularly female employees.

According to data submitted by HYBE to the court, an ADOR employee raised concerns about gender discrimination earlier this year. HYBE conducted an official investigation and issued a warning. CEO Min Hee-jin allegedly referred to the female employee using threatening language such as, “You bitch, watch your back.”

Min Hee-jin reportedly expressed her frustration with the situation through sexist remarks, saying, "I hate working with women," "They can't do their jobs, they whine, and they have no sense of responsibility," "I'm a woman, but I don't like women," and "They talk a lot but don't understand work, so they're frivolous and narrow-minded."

At an extraordinary press conference, Min Hee-jin displayed a range of emotions, from crying to swearing and laughing, garnering public attention. She highlighted her bond with the NEWJEANS members and received support from the fandom. She actively denied meeting with investors and emphasized the inequality she faced at HYBE, gaining sympathy from office workers and some women who opposed HYBE's male-dominated culture.

However, evidence presented in court contradicted the image Min Hee-jin portrayed at the press conference. It revealed her negative comments about NEWJEANS, referring to them as "fat pigs who couldn't lose weight," her active meetings with investors, and her discriminatory behavior towards female employees.

In response, Min Hee-jin's side has claimed, "This is data distorted by HYBE."