Min Hee-Jin and Source Music's Legal Dispute Resumes in Court
Renewed Legal Proceedings
The ongoing legal conflict between former ADOR CEO Min Hee-Jin and Source Music has taken a new turn, nearly six months after the case was thought to be resolved. Court sessions resumed at the Seoul Western District Court on June 12, where Source Music is pursuing a lawsuit against Min for 500 million won (approximately $331,000). Although the case seemed to have concluded late last year, Source Music requested further proceedings in January, leading to the latest hearing focused on witness testimonies.
Witness Testimonies Under Scrutiny
Source Music has indicated that two individuals, including former Source Music CEO So Seong-Jin, possess crucial insights regarding the initial stages of the trainee project that ultimately resulted in the formation of NewJeans. The company believes these witnesses can clarify disputed facts pertinent to the lawsuit. However, Min Hee-Jin's legal team opposed this, arguing that additional witness testimonies would not significantly influence the case, which primarily revolves around alleged defamatory remarks. They asserted that ample evidence had already been provided through documents and prior submissions.
Court's Decision on Witnesses
Min Hee-Jin maintained that her public statements did not target any specific individuals concerning allegations about NewJeans' debut strategies or their role within HYBE's girl group framework. After reviewing the arguments, the court rejected Source Music's plea for live witness testimonies but accepted written statements and affidavits from the proposed witnesses as valid evidence. Source Music mentioned it might submit additional written statements from other personnel involved in the trainee recruitment process.
Dispute Over KakaoTalk Messages
Another contentious issue arose regarding the KakaoTalk chat history previously submitted as evidence. Source Music insisted that the court should receive complete, unedited versions of the chat logs instead of selected excerpts, arguing that partial records could compromise the reliability and context of the evidence. Min Hee-Jin's representatives countered that they could no longer provide the full records due to the loss of the original device containing the conversations. Source Music contested this, suggesting that any uncertainty regarding the completeness of the messages could diminish their evidentiary value. They also indicated a potential court order to obtain related documents from a NewJeans member's mother, who allegedly participated in some relevant discussions.
Ongoing Legal Tensions
The recent hearing underscores the persistent tensions between both parties, which remain unresolved after months of legal proceedings. The court's choice to rely on written testimonies rather than live witnesses, coupled with ongoing disagreements over evidence and interpretations of events surrounding NewJeans' early formation, continues to intensify the legal struggle. Both sides are actively contesting each other's assertions, making this case one of the most closely monitored disputes within South Korea's entertainment sector.