Min Heejin Returns to Court After 2 Months, Calls ADOR’s Claims ‘Absurd’ in Heated Testimony
Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin made her first court appearance in two months, delivering sharp testimony that reignited her ongoing dispute with HYBE and ADOR.
On November 11, the Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division 62 held its third hearing for ADOR’s damages lawsuit against film director Shin Woo-seok and the production team Dolphiners Film. Min attended as a witness for the defendants, marking her first public appearance since September 11, when she testified in a separate case against HYBE over contract termination and stock sale issues.
During the hearing, Min stated that ADOR had given verbal consent for posting the “ETA” music video’s director’s cut, saying,
“The copyright belongs to ADOR, and Apple is only a partner. I have the authority to approve creative decisions. Asking Apple would make no sense.”
She criticized ADOR’s demand for penalties even after she deleted the video at the company’s request, calling it “an abuse of the law.”
“It’s absurd. Writing a one-sided contract and then suing for breach is an abuse of the legal system,” she said.
When ADOR argued that the director’s cut upload had harmed its YouTube revenue, Min shot back:
“That’s such a ridiculous and stupid claim.”
The judge cautioned her for the expression, to which Min calmly responded,
“I said that because I truly don’t understand their logic. Uploading it to that channel just means it reaches a wider audience.”
Later, ADOR referenced its contract validity lawsuit with NewJeans, asking Min whether she was aware that “NewJeans’ claims were dismissed in all trials.”
Min replied briefly, “Yes.” When pressed further about her alleged involvement in creating “negative public sentiment” against HYBE, she said,
“This trial is about whether Director Shin should be held liable for damages — not about me.”
The conflict stems from August 2024, when the “ETA” director’s cut was uploaded to Dolphiners Film’s YouTube channel.
ADOR claimed that Shin had no authority to post company-owned content. Shin said ADOR asked him to delete the video, after which he removed all NewJeans-related content from another channel, Ban Heesoo.
ADOR denied this, insisting,
“We only requested the removal of the ‘ETA’ video. Shin is spreading false information.”
Shin later countersued for defamation, claiming ADOR’s official statement calling the upload an “unauthorized release” damaged his reputation.
ADOR then filed its own damages lawsuit against Shin and Dolphiners Film — the case that brought Min back to court this week.
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