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Min Hee-jin, formerly CEO of K-pop label ADOR, has been found liable by a court for workplace harassment. The reports by Allkpop state that on October 16, the Seoul Western District Court confirmed that her treatment of a former employee, known only as "A," met the standard of harassment. The court affirmed a decision by the Seoul Labor Office that had fined Min Hee-jin earlier.
In 2024, "A" filed an official complaint with the Seoul Labor Office. The complaint stated that Min had used verbal abuse and certain workplace actions that caused emotional distress. After examining the case, the Labor Office concluded that Min’s actions had crossed legal boundaries. It imposed a fine of 5 million KRW.
Min Hee-jin disagreed with the fine and appealed. The case went through civil court, and now that court has upheld the fine. That means the fine will stay in place unless a further appeal changes it.
Charges on Min Hee-jin and labor office findings
The core charge was workplace harassment, also often called workplace bullying in the Korean media. The reports by Allkpop further mention that the complaint asserted that Min Hee-jin's verbal comments and behavior toward the complainant "A" caused psychological distress.
Specifically, the Labor Office statement noted that Min’s remarks and repeated actions between October and December 2023 went beyond acceptable workplace limits. The office said these actions exceeded the appropriate scope of workplace interactions and harmed the working environment.
Under Korean labor law, fines are allowed when harassment is confirmed. In this case, the imposed fine was the maximum under the rule: 5 million KRW. Various reports, including that of Ten Asia, stated that Min’s side has denied wrongdoing. They argued that some claims were false or exaggerated. They also said she would appeal the ruling.
The report by Korea Joon Gang Daily states that the court’s ruling on October 16 sided with the Labor Office’s findings. It confirmed that Min’s actions did amount to workplace harassment and upheld the fine. Because this ruling is based on a labor complaint and administrative law, it does not imply criminal charges. It is a civil or administrative penalty, not a criminal sentence.
Other legal disputes involving Min Hee-jin
While the harassment case is a major legal matter, Min Hee-jin is also involved in several other lawsuits and conflicts. Some relate to her conflict with HYBE, the parent company from which ADOR is a subsidiary, and to plagiarism and contract disputes.
Disputes with HYBE, ADOR, and contract issues
Reports by The Chosun Daily state that Min was appointed CEO of ADOR in November 2021 under HYBE. In April 2024, HYBE launched an audit into ADOR, accusing Min of attempting to gain control of the label and demanding she resign. Min denied the allegations. She said the claims were groundless and argued that her removal violated shareholders’ agreements.
On August 27, 2024, Min was removed as CEO of ADOR. Later, in November, she also stepped down from her role on the board. In court, she and HYBE have clashed over put options (financial rights tied to stock ownership) worth 26 billion KRW. In this dispute, HYBE claims Min cannot exercise some rights because her shareholder agreements were terminated.
Plagiarism claims and evidence disputes
Various reports, including those of Allkpop and KBI Zoom, state that Min has also been accused by HYBE subsidiaries (like Belift Lab / ILLIT) of plagiarism and interfering in business. HYBE counters that Min had allegedly submitted manipulated KakaoTalk chat logs as evidence in court, suggesting editing or staging of messages. Min has denied wrongful alteration and has promised to rebut the claims.
Some of the disputes also touch on defamation, breach of contract, business interference, and shareholder rights. For example, Source Music (a HYBE affiliate) has filed a lawsuit against Min, saying she interfered with its operations and caused damage.
Status and next steps
Apart from the upheld fine, many of Min’s other legal cases are ongoing. Courts will need to decide on contract validity, compensation claims, and defamation suits in future hearings.
Min’s legal team has said she will appeal the harassment ruling. Meanwhile, prosecution or criminal charges have not been reported in connection with the workplace harassment case.
For now, Min Hee-jin faces legal consequences not only from the labor office but also through prolonged battles with her former parent company and affiliates. Her professional and legal future depends on how courts rule in all these linked disputes.
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