ADOR’s Min Hee-jin replaced by new CEO amid ongoing dispute

Former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin speaks to reporters while leaving Yongsan Police Station in Seoul on July 9, following questioning over her alleged breach of trust. (Newsis)

Min Hee-jin is stepping down as CEO of HYBE music subsidiary ADOR, with the company announcing on Tuesday, August 27, that Kim Joo-young has been appointed as its new CEO.

The decision came amid an ongoing dispute between Min and HYBE that began in April over her alleged attempt to seize the management rights of Ador.

“On the 27th, the company held a board meeting and appointed Kim Joo-young, a current ADOR director, as the new CEO,” the statement read. “While former CEO Min Hee-jin is stepping down from her position, she remains a director at ADOR and will continue her work in producing for NewJeans.”

As part of this leadership change, ADOR will also undergo internal restructuring, separating its production and management functions. According to the statement, this move aligns with the multilabel operation principle consistently applied across other labels under HYBE, although it had previously been an exception, with the new CEO overseeing both production and management.

“With this personnel change and organizational restructuring, ADOR plans to fully support NewJeans’ growth and further success,” the agency added.

Kim Joo-young, the newly appointed CEO, brings extensive experience in human resources across various industries. Her primary responsibilities will include stabilizing the organization and overseeing internal management for ADOR.