On the 22nd, the Japanese satellite TV channel ‘WOWOW’ revealed the exclusive interview with Min Hee-jin. During the show titled ‘Ask NewJeans! NewJeans Interview,’ her interview was shared alongside segments featuring the NewJeans members.
In the interview, Min said, “I have a blueprint for NewJeans’ seven-year plan and beyond. Every year felt like a new challenge, but if things go according to plan, I’m confident we’ll surprise people with each album.”
She added, “For me, the future is bright. In the past, it seemed obvious, but now I just hope the conditions allow us to safely and successfully reach that point.”
Min also mentioned, “People live on hope,” and explained how she frequently discusses this blueprint with the members. She continued, “Encouraged by this hopeful outlook, we’ve overcome many hurdles together.” Additionally, she stressed, “I hope the blueprint doesn’t become false hope for the members, as I don’t want to disappoint them. My desire for the things we talked about to come true has only grown.”
The interview with Min Hee-jin was reportedly filmed after NewJeans’ fan meeting event, ‘Bunnies Camp,’ in Tokyo Dome this June. WOWOW, which exclusively aired NewJeans’ Tokyo Dome fan meeting last August, plans to broadcast special segments, including interviews and music videos, until November.
ADOR dismissed Min Hee-jin on August 27 and appointed Kim Joo-young as the new CEO. ADOR insists that even after Min’s departure, she will continue to handle the production of NewJeans, but Min has pushed back, calling the dismissal unilateral.
Meanwhile, on a YouTube live broadcast on the 11th, NewJeans members called for Min Hee-jin to return by the 25th. However, industry insiders believe that ADOR and its parent company HYBE are unlikely to meet the members’ request. Some speculate that the NewJeans members might take legal action, such as filing an injunction to suspend their exclusive contracts. Min Hee-jin has also filed a legal request with the Seoul Central District Court to convene a provisional shareholders’ meeting and reinstate her as a director of ADOR, as part of her efforts to reclaim her position.