On August 27, 2024, the K-Pop world was taken by surprise when ADOR, the label behind the immensely popular girl group NewJeans, announced that Min Hee Jin had stepped down as CEO. The decision sparked widespread reactions, with fans and industry insiders speculating on the implications of this major shift within the company.
The Announcement: A New Leadership Structure at ADOR
In a statement released by ADOR, the label confirmed that Min Hee Jin would no longer serve as CEO, a role she had held since the label’s inception. Instead, the board appointed Kim Joo Young as the new CEO, citing his expertise in human resources and his experience in the industry. This change marks a significant shift in ADOR’s internal structure, as the company plans to separate production duties from administrative responsibilities.
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Min Hee Jin’s New Role: Focus on NewJeans Production
Despite stepping down as CEO, Min Hee Jin will remain a pivotal figure at ADOR. The label clarified that she will continue to serve as an internal director, focusing exclusively on the production of NewJeans. This move allows her to concentrate on the creative direction of the group, ensuring that NewJeans maintains its unique artistic identity while leaving the day-to-day management to the new CEO.
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HYBE’s Influence: A Strategic Shift?
Some netizens speculated that HYBE, ADOR’s parent company, played a role in this leadership change. ADOR was previously the only HYBE label where the CEO managed both production and administration, diverging from HYBE’s multi-label strategy. The restructuring could be seen as aligning ADOR more closely with HYBE’s overall corporate structure, a move that some believe HYBE had been pushing for.
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Netizen Reactions: Mixed Feelings and Ongoing Controversy
The announcement quickly sparked a wave of reactions online, with netizens expressing a range of emotions. While some fans were disappointed to see Min Hee Jin step down, others brought up the ongoing controversy surrounding her handling of a sexual harassment case within the company. Critics accused her of siding with the perpetrator, and some saw her departure as a consequence of these criticisms.
Comments ranged from support for Min Hee Jin to concerns for the victim, reflecting the complex emotions tied to her tenure at ADOR. Some netizens viewed the leadership change as a natural outcome of ADOR’s earlier conflicts with HYBE, while others expressed hope that the victim’s claims would be thoroughly investigated and justly resolved.
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What’s Next for ADOR and NewJeans?
As ADOR moves forward under new leadership, all eyes will be on how the label navigates this transition. Kim Joo Young’s appointment as CEO brings a new focus on stabilizing the company’s internal organization, while Min Hee Jin’s continued involvement in NewJeans’ production ensures that the group’s artistic vision remains intact. The coming months will reveal how this new structure impacts both the label and its artists.
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Conclusion
The decision for Min Hee Jin to step down as ADOR’s CEO marks a pivotal moment for the label and its artists. While the restructuring aligns ADOR more closely with HYBE’s broader strategy, it also raises questions about the impact of ongoing controversies. As Min Hee Jin continues to focus on NewJeans’ production, the K-Pop community will be watching closely to see how ADOR adapts to its new leadership and what it means for the future of one of K-Pop’s most exciting new groups.
