Interview with Attorney Lee Sook-mi Regarding the First Trial Victory in HYBE v. Min Hee-jin Lawsuit
Lee Sook-mi>I am Attorney Lee Sook-mi.
Yang Byung-heon>I am Attorney Yang Byung-heon.
Reporter>Attorney Yang Byung-heon?
Lee Sook-mi>Yes, that’s correct.
Reporter>First, could you explain the ruling result yourself?
Lee Sook-mi>Yes, the presiding judge explained the reasons for the ruling in detail for almost two hours. There were many points of dispute, and without missing a single one, and pointing out all the evidence, whether it was KakaoTalk messages or various allegations claimed by the plaintiff, HYBE, the judge pointed out one by one that HYBE’s claims were wrong and that former CEO Min Hee-jin’s explanations were all correct. The judge also stated that raising allegations of album pushing and copying were all legitimate issues to raise, legitimate objections.
Lee Sook-mi>The amount of evidence and written documents submitted to the court was incredibly vast, but listening to the reasons for the ruling today, the court really looked through everything without missing anything and explained it, so I really want to express my deep respect and gratitude.
Reporter>So today’s decision means that HYBE’s claim that the contract has been terminated and such were not accepted at all, right?
Lee Sook-mi>All points of dispute were judged, and nothing was omitted. So it was explained to the effect of dismissing everything.
Lee Sook-mi>So former CEO Min exercised her put option around November 2024—last year, actually the year before last now, right? Even though it was disadvantageous… she could have received a larger amount if she exercised it in 2025, but because it was absolutely impossible to maintain her position and work in this state of dispute, she terminated it in November and abruptly filed a claim for the put option payment. And that was fully accepted in its entirety.
Reporter>The ruling just came out, so does former CEO Min Hee-jin not know the result yet?
Lee Sook-mi>Actually, we kept explaining it to her one by one via text message. Because it went on for about two hours.
Reporter>Then, how was her reaction?
Lee Sook-mi>She is… well… very happy. Very happy.
Lee Sook-mi>Yes, right now, things that are somewhat fabricated are circulating as if they are true, but she is extremely grateful that the court pointed those out one by one.
Reporter>Anyway, HYBE’s side will likely appeal this ruling result, so for the appellate trial…
Lee Sook-mi>Yes, we also expect that they will generally appeal a lawsuit of this magnitude. Naturally, we will continue to fairly and squarely, yes, without hiding anything, just, yes, continue to present our original arguments.
Lee Sook-mi>Yes, to ensure that the court… the appellate court is also not misled by those fabricated media reports and such, we will explain things meticulously, and it seems that’s the only way. Yes, without hiding anything.
Lee Sook-mi>In fact, many things have been reported in articles, and we refuted everything by pointing them all out in our written submissions. But there is sensitive information there, so there are many things that have not been made public. We will work hard to include and convey those details well in the appellate trial too, yes, so that the first trial decision can be maintained. Yes, we will make the effort.
Reporter>Lastly, apart from this lawsuit, ADOR is also proceeding with a damages lawsuit anyway, so how are you responding to that?
Lee Sook-mi>Yes, that part was filed not long ago. Actually, as far as we know, regarding the NewJeans members… we call it the members’ lawsuit, but regarding losing the first trial in the members’ lawsuit and not appealing it, there were aspects where the pain was continuing too much… We actually, as the Shin & Kim legal representation team, found many things difficult to accept, and in fact, those contents are all mentioned in this court ruling as well. To some extent.
Lee Sook-mi>However, rather than dragging the dispute out to the end, it is also very important for the young members to find their own path, so we respected their decision not to appeal.
Lee Sook-mi>We did, but now inevitably, how Danielle’s contract was terminated, the exclusive contract was terminated, and now a new lawsuit… Right now, for that part, Danielle’s family will have appointed a representative and will be responding to it.
Lee Sook-mi>Former CEO Min has been responding to this lawsuit up to the sentencing so importantly, with us submitting reference documents, that the damages lawsuit can be prepared for gradually from now on. I think it is still a long way off from actually starting, officially starting.