The 2024 legal dispute involves Min and HYBE over control of ADOR, with Min accusing HYBE of illegally terminating its shareholders agreement.
BTS member V has spoken out following reports that his private chat messages have been submitted as evidence in the ongoing lawsuit between HYBE and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin. In a post on Instagram Story, V described the situation as “extremely annoying,” adding that he never agreed to have his chats used in the dispute.
BTS V is upset about leaked conversations
The controversy arises amid a conflict between the companies over alleged similarities between ADOR’s girl group NewJeans and BELIFT LAB’s ILLIT. During the court proceedings, Min highlighted V’s involvement in the matter, referring to a KakaoTalk conversation in which the singer noted the similarities. According to reports, V wrote: “(There’s always talk of plagiarism, and it’s never been mentioned once) Huh… that’s it. I also took a look and thought, ‘Oh, this is kinda similar’.”
In response to the revelation, V clarified his intentions, saying, “This is part of a private, everyday conversation that I shared sympathetically, as they were my acquaintances. I had no intention of taking sides. However, I find it extremely disturbing that the conversation in question was presented as evidence without my consent.”
What is the controversy between HYBE and Min Hee-jin?
The legal battle officially began in 2024, and centered on control of ADOR, the brand that operates NewJeans. HYBE accused Min of trying to control the company. On the other hand, Maine claimed that HYBE illegally terminated the major shareholder agreement, thereby depriving it of its right to resell its shares in ADOR in exchange for an agreed upon compensation payment. HYBE oversees top K-Pop acts including BTS, TXT, SEVENTEEN, CORTIS, and KATSEYE, making the dispute one of the most high-profile conflicts between companies in the industry.
A Seoul court recently ruled in Min’s favor, ordering HYBE to pay her approximately 25.5 billion won ($17.5 million). The judge ruled that HYBE could not legally terminate the shareholders agreement and that Min retained the contractual right to sell its ADOR shares to the company.
PLAGIARISM ALLEGATIONS AND CONTROVERSIES ILLIT
Min has publicly criticized the perceived similarity between NewJeans and ILLIT’s (under HYBE’s BELIFT LAB) concept, music, costumes, and choreography, sparking debates about authenticity and influence on K-pop aesthetics. Many fans and media outlets also noted the similarities, and Team Maine argued that these concerns were legitimate industry opinions and not defamatory claims.
During this period of plagiarism discussions, Min’s legal team presented private KakaoTalk conversations with V, in which V reportedly said he also saw similarities, as part of her evidence in court.
Ritika Kumar is a seasoned journalist with over 15 years of experience, who has written for newspapers, magazines and online platforms, serving a variety of audiences. Over the years, she has covered general news, lifestyle, and entertainment, building a reputation for keen observation, compelling storytelling, and the ability to connect with readers across multiple formats. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and a Postgraduate Diploma from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Bangalore. Before joining Hindustan Times, Ritika worked with prominent media organizations including The Times of India, Press Trust of India, NDTV and Malayala Manorama Group. These roles have allowed her to hone her skills across different beats, master the nuances of different formats and tailor her writing to readers of newspapers, magazines and digital platforms alike. Apart from journalism, Ritika is very passionate about poetry, and draws inspiration from voices ranging from Faiz Ahmed Faiz to TS Eliot. She is also a cinephile, and enjoys discussions about cinematography, acting, and the subtle layers of on-screen storytelling. A lover of travel and the outdoors, Ritika often finds inspiration in nature, where she contemplates the rhythms of life. When not working, she can be found basking in the soft glow of the sunset and contemplating the complex workings of the human heart.Read more
