Prosecutors say “No” to allegations of “sorcery management” being false…All of HYBE’s complaints filed by Min Hee-jin cleared

A period at the end of a legal fight: Prosecutors back HYBE

In an all-out showdown between former ADOR CEO “Min Hee-jin” and “HYBE,” the judicial system ultimately affirmed HYBE’s legitimacy. Beyond a straightforward management-rights dispute, the case—one that acted as a potential fuse for the K-pop industry at large—has entered an entirely new phase following prosecutors’ blanket decision to dismiss without charges.

Prosecutors’ firm takeaway: “No charges on all counts”

The news shared by legal circles on the 11th was clear. The Criminal Affairs Division 1 of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office dismissed without charges, effective as of the end of last month, the complaint case brought by former CEO “Min Hee-jin.” The key charges that were rejected are as follows.

• Obstruction of business and defamation: Targeting six key executives of HYBE, including former CEO Park Ji-won (No charges)

• Defamation: Targeting four Belift Lab executives, including CEO Kim Tae-ho (No charges)

• Violation of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization: Allegations of unauthorized access to an internal messenger (No charges)

This is a strong ruling indicating that the allegations raised so far failed to secure legal legitimacy.

The spark for a breakdown: The truth behind the “sorcery management” controversy

The hottest issue in this case was undoubtedly the “sorcery management” framing. In April of last year, HYBE distributed a shocking press release alleging that Min—discussed overall management matters with a shaman and plotted the proposed termination of “NewJeans” contracts. Min strongly pushed back, calling the release malicious falsehoods, but the judiciary’s view was cold. Prosecutors said they found evidence indicating discussions with an actual shaman about management matters and concluded that HYBE’s disclosures were not false.

“ILLIT’s NewJeans plagiarism controversy” earns a legal absolution

The “ILLIT’s NewJeans plagiarism controversy,” which split K-pop fandoms into two hostile camps, also came to an end. The defamation allegations raised over a video in which Belift Lab rebutted through YouTube that “ILLIT did not copy NewJeans’ choreography and costumes” were likewise concluded with no charges. Against the backdrop of artistic similarities and the boundary of plagiarism, prosecutors recognized Belift Lab’s right of defense and freedom of expression.

A proper audit—or an illegal surveillance?

Prosecutors’ yardstick also did not waver on the allegation that they violated the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization regarding unauthorized access to internal emails and messengers. Prosecutors’ judgment that it was a “legitimate information access carried out within the scope of lawful audit authority” is expected to stand as an important precedent, setting clear guidelines for audit procedures within companies going forward.

A massive tectonic shift in the K-pop power map

Prosecutors’ decision to dismiss without charges goes beyond a simple legal win or loss. With the legal risks that HYBE had been burdened with fully resolved, the intense tension between both sides collapsed, and the industry’s leadership has begun to flow in a new direction.