On the 25th, Minji posted on the fan communication platform Phoning, “It seems like a night where there’s a lot to think about. I always get strength from watching Bunnies (NewJeans’ official fandom name). Please always take care of your health and fill your thoughts with only good things. Byeee.”
On August 11, NewJeans held an emergency live broadcast, demanding that HYBE reinstate Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of ADOR, by the 25th. The members claimed that they had been mistreated by HYBE, alleging that they had been told to “ignore” instructions from other artists’ managers within HYBE, and that despite reporting this to Kim Joo-young, the new CEO of ADOR, no appropriate action had been taken. They warned, “This is the only way to coexist with HYBE without conflict.”
However, HYBE responded firmly. On the day following NewJeans’ live broadcast, HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang announced a policy of “principled response.” On Septemeber 23, ADOR’s CEO Kim Joo-young held a meeting with the NewJeans members and their parents, but it is reported that both sides maintained their respective positions.
As the day of reckoning arrived, claims arose that HYBE had deliberately downplayed NewJeans’ achievements in Japan. While HYBE stated, “We only requested a correction of inaccurate reports, and there is no reason to belittle NewJeans’ accomplishments,” tensions are undeniably escalating.
In the midst of all this, Minji left a cryptic message after the meeting, heightening fans’ anxiety.