Drama Unfolds in High-Stakes Legal Showdown

In a sensational twist to an ongoing legal drama, former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin is under fire for allegedly manipulating crucial evidence in her looming battle with entertainment giant HYBE. The case centers on a lucrative 26 billion KRW (approximately $18.7 million USD) put option dispute, but the stakes have just skyrocketed.

The Courtroom Controversy

The courtroom at Seoul Central District Court became the setting for a fierce confrontation on the 11th, as HYBE produced what they allege to be a "revised version" of KakaoTalk conversations originally submitted by Min. Accusations of evidence tampering emerged when HYBE claimed that their provided logs contained lines that were conspicuously missing from Min's earlier submissions, suggesting possible editing efforts.

Alarming Text Messages Revealed

Among the incriminating messages brought forth by HYBE, Min appears to instruct her team with phrases like, "I’m going to capture this (chat), write it well," and "Erase it and rewrite, cut (CUT), up to here." These shocking statements raise eyebrows about the authenticity of her evidence. Legal experts note that the first line of Min's original screenshots suspiciously mirrors these quotes.

A Tale of Pressure and Resignation

This trial is more than just a financial dispute; it’s packed with allegations of harassment. A former ADOR executive claimed they faced relentless intimidation from HYBE’s upper management. Min’s submission of these KakaoTalk records aims to prove not just the pressure exerted by HYBE but also to shed light on the circumstances surrounding her abrupt resignation as CEO in January—a resignation that occurred just before the public conflict erupted.

The Lawsuits at Play

This courtroom saga melds two significant lawsuits: one filed by Min and two associates against HYBE, demanding the fulfillment of the put option agreements, and another from HYBE seeking legal affirmation of the termination of a shareholders' agreement. As the drama unfolds, more revelations are anticipated in this high-profile case.