In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing legal dispute between former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin and the management agency housing K-pop giants BTS and TXT, shocking allegations of political coercion have emerged, adding a new dimension to the year-long courtroom battle.
Management Agency Levels Serious Accusations
According to recent Chosun Ilbo reports, the management company has accused Min Hee Jin of actively pressuring employees to avoid supporting the Democratic Party during elections. The company presented screenshots from popular messaging apps as evidence during a court hearing on November 26.
The alleged conversations show Min Hee Jin questioning an employee with, "Why did you vote for the Democratic Party?" and advising, "If there's no party worth voting for, you shouldn't vote—like me. LOL." These exchanges suggest direct interference in employees' political choices.
More disturbing accounts emerged from within the company. One employee described post-election repercussions: "After the election, if anyone said they voted for the Democratic Party, she'd call them in and scold them. At first, I thought it was a joke, but after being yelled at for three hours at a time, I wondered if I'd even joined the right company."
Min Hee Jin's Forceful Rebuttal
Just two days after the November 26 court hearing, on November 28, Min Hee Jin launched a vigorous defense through her social media channels. The former CEO categorically denied all allegations and provided what she claims is conclusive evidence contradicting the management's claims.
In a surprising revelation, Min Hee Jin stated, "I have always been a supporter of the Democratic Party, and I personally voted for former President Moon Jae-in." She acknowledged disappointment with the former administration's real estate policies in 2020 but emphasized that this sentiment was "distorted" by the management agency.
She provided compelling visual evidence of her political leanings, including photos and videos showing her attendance at a rally calling for Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment last winter. She further noted that she wore blue on election day and had sent supplies to support protesters, directly countering the coercion allegations.
Legal Battle Takes Political Turn
Min Hee Jin characterized the accusations as an "unrelated political frame" strategically deployed in her legal dispute with the parent company. This development marks a significant escalation in the conflict that has been playing out in courts for over a year.
While courts have ruled in favor of the management company on most charges, these new allegations introduce complex political dimensions to the ongoing legal proceedings. The timing of these revelations, coming during active court hearings, suggests both parties are intensifying their legal strategies.
The case continues to unfold, with the entertainment industry closely watching how these serious allegations will impact both Min Hee Jin's career and the reputation of the management company representing some of K-pop's biggest acts.
