NewJeans (from left) Hyein, Minji, Haerin, Danielle and Hanni. Image: X/@NewJeans_ADOR
The uneasy relationship between HYBE and Min Hee-jin, the CEO of its subsidiary ADOR, continues, with the agency behind popular K-pop group NewJeans reported to have rejected the Grammy Museum’s offer of the “best spot” at the upcoming HYBE exhibition in Los Angeles running from Aug. 2 to Sept. 15.
The Grammy Museum, an institution devoted to the history and winners of the Grammy Awards, offered ADOR a prime spot for NewJeans in March, according to local media Monday, July 15. The organizers promised that visitors would see NewJeans-related exhibits first upon entering the venue.
HYBE conveyed this offer to ADOR, according to the report, expressing a desire to include NewJeans in the event.
However, ADOR declined, citing the minor role NewJeans would play in the HYBE exhibition, the report said.
This decision has sparked speculation that internal conflicts between Min and HYBE might be the reason for NewJeans’ absence.
HYBE declined to comment on the issue.
ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin speaks during a press conference held in Seoul. Image: Yonhap via The Korea Herald
The dispute between Min and HYBE surfaced in April when the ADOR CEO accused Illit, a newly debuted K-pop girl band under another HYBE subsidiary Belift Lab, of plagiarizing NewJeans’ style, concept and choreography. Following this accusation, HYBE, on April 25, filed a complaint against Min on charges of breach of trust for allegedly attempting to seize control of its subsidiary. The police are currently investigating the case.
Last week, HYBE announced its plan to open “Hybe: We Believe in Music,” an interactive exhibition with the Grammy Museum that explores K-pop music, culture, technology and fandom.
Hybe unveiled a roster of 12 K-pop bands participating in the show, including BTS, Seventeen and Enhypen, but NewJeans was not included.
Promotional poster for HYBE’s exhibition in Los Angeles hosted by Grammy Museum. Image: Grammy Museum
In a statement, HYBE emphasized that “the decision to participate in the exhibition was left to the discretion of each label,” implying that NewJeans’ absence from the exhibition was not HYBE’s decision.
NewJeans also did not participate in Weverse Con, an annual music festival hosted by HYBE in June.
“NewJeans could not participate due to scheduling conflicts caused by preparations for overseas activities,” HYBE said at the time. However, other HYBE artists such as Seventeen and Enhypen attended Weverse Con despite their busy schedules preparing for overseas performances.