The legal war that has gripped the K-pop world for nearly two years just hit its biggest turning point yet. On February 12, 2026, the Seoul Central District Court officially ruled in favor of former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin. In a massive decision, Civil Division 31 ordered HYBE to pay ₩25.5 billion (roughly $18 million USD) to honor Min’s “put option” rights.
This ruling is a huge blow to HYBE’s legal strategy. The parent company had tried to argue they had the right to terminate her shareholder agreement entirely. They claimed she committed a “breach of trust,” but the court simply didn’t see it that way.
Why the Court Rejected HYBE’s Claims
Presiding Judge Nam In Soo was clear in his assessment. He stated that Min Hee-jin did not appear to have any “intent to bring harm or damages to ADOR.” For months, HYBE had pushed allegations that Min was “poaching” NewJeans and trying to seize management rights. The court dismissed those claims.
Now, the ruling effectively invalidates HYBE’s previous stance that her pursuit of independence was a contract violation. While the drama between the two parties was undeniably messy, the court found that Min’s actions stayed within the legal bounds of her 2023 agreement.
“The court finds no evidence that the defendant intended to cause financial loss to ADOR or the parent company, upholding the validity of the original 2023 shareholder agreement.” — Seoul Central District Court
The $18M Payout: Fast Facts
- Total Award: ₩25.5 billion (~$18M USD).
- Core Issue: Validity of Min’s 2023 put option (the right to sell her shares back).
- The Court: Seoul Central District Court, Civil Division 31.
- Current Status: A major win for Min, but HYBE has already filed an appeal.
The Long Road to the Verdict
This dispute has been one of the most exhausting legal sagas in Hallyu history. Here is how we got here:
- April 2024: The public feud begins with a surprise audit of ADOR.
- August 2024: Min Hee-jin is officially removed as CEO of ADOR.
- November 2025: NewJeans members confirm they will stay with ADOR after a court upholds their contracts.
- February 12, 2026: The court orders HYBE to pay the $18 million put option.
What’s Next for Min Hee-jin and NewJeans?
HYBE isn’t backing down without a fight. Within hours of the verdict, they released a statement disagreeing with the court’s logic. They are taking the appeal to the High Court, meaning this battle will likely drag on through the end of 2026. Still, this $18 million windfall provides Min with significant momentum.
Currently, Min is focusing on her new label, OOAK Records. But the “NewJeans factor” still looms large. While the group remains under ADOR and HYBE for now, Bunnies are speculating if this payout will serve as a “war chest” for future legal moves.
Industry experts say this sets a major precedent for how “put options” and minority rights are handled in K-pop. But the drama is far from over. Everyone is now looking toward the next hurdle: a separate $30 million (₩43 billion) damages dispute still sitting in the Seoul courts.
