Source Music Refutes Min Hee-jin's Claims, Announces Legal Action

On the 23rd, Source Music refuted claims made by Min Hee-jin, CEO of Ador, announcing plans for legal action. 

Source Music stated, “The statement distributed today by CEO Min Hee-jin of Ador contains false claims related to Source Music, so we feel it is necessary to clarify the exact facts.”

Source Music further stated, “CEO Min Hee-jin’s claim that Source Music copied her launching strategy is false. Source Music never copied the CBO’s launching strategy during Min Hee-jin’s tenure, nor did we acknowledge the contents of Min's complaint.”

They continued, "In May 2020, Chairman Bang Si-hyuk's opinion on the launching strategy proposed by Min Hee-jin, then CBO, was that the content of the proposal should be realized through the label to be established by Min, rather than through the N Team. Min is well aware of the discussion at that time, but she is distorting the facts, suggesting that Chairman Bang recommended realizing her launching strategy through the N Team."

The statement also addressed ongoing issues: "CEO Min Hee-jin continues to disseminate false information related to Source Music. In addition to the damages lawsuit filed against CEO Min earlier, we will strongly respond to this case. We are also prepared to disclose the data we have at any time if necessary to establish the clear truth."

Ador Min Hee-jin, the head of the group NewJeans, held an emergency press conference at the Seoul Press Center on the 31st. CEO Min Hee-jin answering questions. Reporter Huh Sang-wook @sportschosun.com/2024.05.31/

Earlier in the day, a media report revealed that Min Hee-jin was suspected of stealing the concept for the girl group NewJeans. According to the report, Source Music had been preparing a new girl group under the project name N Team since 2018. Preparations were well underway with the debut song "Attention" ready, and the group could have debuted as soon as the branding proposal was finalized. CEO Min participated as a creator for the N Team, but complications arose when CEO Min sought control over music and performance aspects beyond branding, leading to delays. Consequently, the N Team project was transferred to Ador.

In response, CEO Min's side stated, "These allegations are false and based on speculation. We will take strong legal action against such misinformation. The trainee contract between Source Music and NewJeans members has already ended, and there is no clause in the contract that allows the use of the trainees' portraits or voices without consent. Contrary to the report, the claim that the N Team's debut was indefinitely postponed due to CEO Min Hee-jin's negligence is far from the truth." She also disclosed a timeline to refute the claims.

Below is the full statement from Source Music:

Today, we are presenting the exact facts, as the statement distributed by Ador CEO Min Hee-jin contains false claims related to Source Music.

1. CEO Min Hee-jin’s claim that Source Music copied her launching strategy is false. Source Music never copied the CBO's launching strategy during Min Hee-jin’s tenure, nor have we acknowledged the contents of Min CBO’s complaint.

2. Chairman Bang Si-hyuk's opinion on the launching strategy proposed by CBO in May 2020 was that it should be realized through the new label to be established by Min CBO, not through the N Team. CEO Min is well aware of this discussion but is distorting the facts to suggest that Chairman Bang recommended her launching strategy be realized through the N Team.

CEO Min Hee-jin continues to disseminate false information related to Source Music. In addition to the damages lawsuit filed against CEO Min earlier, we will strongly respond to this case. We are prepared to disclose the data we have at any time if necessary to establish the clear truth. Thank you.