LE SSERAFIM agency SOURCE Music has initiated legal action against Min Hee-jin, the CEO of Ador.
Min Hee Jin Faces New Lawsuit Filed by LE SSERAFIM Agency
According to reports from the legal community on July 15th, SOURCE Music recently filed a lawsuit in the Seoul Western District Court, seeking 500 million won (approximately $395,000 USD) in damages for defamation, business interference, and insult allegedly caused by Min Hee-jin. This amount could potentially increase as it currently represents only a portion of the total damages claimed by SOURCE Music.
The lawsuit revolves around three primary issues. Firstly, Min Hee-jin claimed that she personally cast the members of NewJeans. Secondly, she made a unilateral decision to debut NewJeans as HYBE’s first girl group. Thirdly, she asserted that SOURCE Music neglected the members of NewJeans.
It’s a well-known fact that some members of NewJeans were former trainees of SOURCE Music. Min Hee-jin has accused SOURCE Music of neglecting these trainees and expressed her dissatisfaction with LE SSERAFIM’s debut preceding that of NewJeans. During her first press conference on April 25th, Min Hee-jin remarked, “We were neglected when managed by SOURCE,” and “All members joined HYBE because of me.” SOURCE Music claims these comments led to rumors suggesting that LE SSERAFIM received preferential treatment, which caused severe online harassment and damage to their reputation.
In response to these allegations, SOURCE Music has reportedly submitted evidence to support their claims. This evidence includes instances where Min Hee-jin, serving as a brand manager, allegedly delayed NewJeans’ debut schedule and acknowledged LE SSERAFIM’s earlier debut. Furthermore, the evidence encompasses examples of damages caused by negative online comments stemming from Min Hee-jin’s remarks.
This legal battle underscores the tensions within the K-pop industry and highlights the complexities involved in managing and debuting new groups. As the case progresses, it will be closely watched by fans and industry insiders alike, eager to see how these allegations and the accompanying legal proceedings unfold.
