Seoul Western District Court has delayed the first hearing in Source Music’s 500 million won ($360,000 USD) damages lawsuit against former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin. Originally scheduled for May 15, 2026, the session has been pushed back to May 29 at 4:15 PM KST, following a request from Source Music’s legal team submitted on May 4.
This marks yet another twist in one of the industry’s most protracted legal battles, which stems from the explosive HYBE-ADOR power struggle that erupted in 2024. Source Music, the agency behind LE SSERAFIM, accuses Min of making false and damaging public statements about the company during her high-profile press conference and media appearances. At the heart of the claims: Min’s allegations that HYBE broke promises regarding NewJeans‘ debut as the company’s flagship girl group, while also suggesting Source Music neglected the members and that HYBE underpromoted them.
Source Music fired back strongly at the time, releasing statements that described Min’s remarks as “false claims” and “disrespectful expressions” that unfairly targeted other artists. The label has consistently denied any mistreatment or broken promises, arguing that such statements harmed their reputation and business.
Photo | Source Music
A separate hearing involving BELIFT LAB (home to ILLIT) is set to move forward as planned, highlighting how the ripple effects of the HYBE family disputes continue to entangle multiple subsidiaries. Earlier this year, courts had even suspended related proceedings indefinitely before some resumed, underscoring the complexity and sensitivity of these intertwined cases.
Industry insiders note that the repeated delays reflect the careful navigation required in such high-stakes disputes, where public perception, artist careers, and corporate reputations hang in the balance. Min Hee-jin, who has since launched her own label, has remained vocal about her side of the story, even offering to forgo significant compensation in exchange for dropped lawsuits.
As the May 29 date approaches, fans of NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, and the broader HYBE ecosystem are watching closely. This isn’t just a legal skirmish it’s a chapter in the evolving power dynamics of K-pop’s biggest players. Updates are expected soon as both sides prepare their arguments.
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