At The Fact Music Awards held on September 8, 2024, in Osaka’s Kyocera Dome, K-pop girl group NewJeans stole the spotlight not only for their musical achievements but also for their heartfelt tribute to former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin. The group took home four awards, including Artist of the Year, sharing the honor with fellow nominees IVE and aespa. During their acceptance speech, NewJeans members expressed their profound gratitude to Min Hee-jin, who has recently stepped down amidst a dispute with the label's owner, HYBE.
Member Danielle expressed the group’s feelings poignantly: "We truly love and thank [former] CEO Min Hee-jin who always cherishes and protects us." Another member, Hyein, went a step further, saying, "I want to say it one more time because it might be the last chance," which captured the audience's attention and underscored their gratitude.
This public display of support marks a continuation of NewJeans' efforts to stand against management changes that have caused distress among fans. Just last week, three members voiced their concerns on the fan community app Phoning, illustrating their discontent regarding Min Hee-jin's departure. In response, over 1,000 fans penned an open letter calling for her reinstatement as ADOR's CEO, voicing worries over the impact of management shifts on the future of NewJeans. Additionally, some fans have lodged complaints against media outlet Dispatch and HYBE for alleged breaches of privacy laws.
As NewJeans rises in prominence within the K-pop scene, the implications of these managerial changes and their ongoing support for Min Hee-jin will undoubtedly affect their trajectory moving forward. For additional details, the full report can be found on NME.