NewJeans has stirred significant attention by openly addressing the conflicts with HYBE and Min Hee-jin, a director at ADOR.
During an emergency live broadcast titled "What NewJeans Wants to Say," held on November 11, the members expressed their concerns about their future, emphasizing that the broadcast was prepared to share their true feelings. Hyein mentioned worries about misinterpretations regarding Min Hee-jin's influence, while Minji highlighted their lack of communication with the management despite having received assurance from Min Hee-jin prior to their debut. They also criticized the recent leak of personal records from before their debut, which they called deeply concerning for a company that is supposed to protect them.
Hani recounted a troubling encounter with another idol's manager who openly belittled her within earshot, which shocked her and left her feeling unsupported by the company. Minji voiced her frustration, noting that the management did not take action despite their reports, and referred to the increasing issues stemming from the new management's decisions. As their sense of distrust in HYBE has grown, Hani questioned whether the company genuinely has NewJeans' best interests at heart, advocating for Min Hee-jin's reinstatement as a leader.
Following the live broadcast, netizens had mixed reactions, with many expressing sympathy for NewJeans' frustrations while others questioned the band's direct involvement in their company's leadership. Some argued that the artists seemed emotionally charged and overly biased in their responses, raising concerns about the dynamics within the company. The account that hosted the live broadcast has since been deleted, leaving many curious about HYBE and ADOR's forthcoming responses regarding the matter.
On September 27, ADOR announced the appointment of Kim Joo-young as the new CEO, asserting the company's approach to stabilize organizational structure. They clarified that while Min Hee-jin would step down as CEO, she would retain her position on the board and continue her role in producing NewJeans. This restructuring is said to align with their longstanding multi-label operation policy, which separates production and management roles, although Min Hee-jin has contested the legality of her dismissal.