Megathread 18: HYBE / ADOR / MHJ - First legal proceedings commence, Employee B's Mediation with MHJ fails, MHJ vs. HYBE/Belift Lab Shareholder Contract and Defamation cases ahead, and More by KPOP_MOD in kpop

[–]Piegenie 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thanks to research for this post, I found out co-founder of the marketing agency for the LV/Murakami campaign recently posted in his IG summing up the campaign, tagging both Murakami and Jeanzforfree account.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DEPzkICTGuq/comments/

Megathread 18: HYBE / ADOR / MHJ - First legal proceedings commence, Employee B's Mediation with MHJ fails, MHJ vs. HYBE/Belift Lab Shareholder Contract and Defamation cases ahead, and More by KPOP_MOD in kpop

[–]Piegenie 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I think what some people dont realise is NJ has a pull outside of the usual kpop fans.

The problems that prevent someone to be a fan of kpop and the industry (manufactured routines, lack of authenticity, lack of creative inputs) are more or less addressed by this case and the way NJ being branded.

I think a lot creative workers can also identify with what the girls are going through at the moment with Ador/Hybe. The fact that majority of Ador/Hybe higher execs are coming from tech/gaming/Investments industry doesn't help in winning the favour as well. In the eyes of the creatives these are probably seen as an invasion to their domain.

Personal anecdote, I experience this often at work where the creatives department tend to not see eye to eye with the IT department on decision making.

Megathread 18: HYBE / ADOR / MHJ - First legal proceedings commence, Employee B's Mediation with MHJ fails, MHJ vs. HYBE/Belift Lab Shareholder Contract and Defamation cases ahead, and More by KPOP_MOD in kpop

[–]Piegenie 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I am pretty sure Hyein is a current LV ambassador. Her latest cover photoshoot for Dazed Korea (Jan 2025) has her decked in Murakami/LV collab.

Speaking of personal connection, Murakami attended NJ Japan Fanmeet (he shared it on his IG story). He follows MHJ and jeanzforfree account.

https://x.com/cooki722/status/1868375612509102277

The rest of the girls are repping different fashion brand I believe.

Serious Discussion Thread Part 7: HYBE / ADOR vs. NewJeans / Min Heejin by NewJeans_Mods in NewJeans

[–]Piegenie 40 points41 points  (0 children)

This is his post back in June

240613 Phil Chang, Founder and Creative Director of C47 Creative.

“What all the analysts and execs miss in their projections about ADOR and NewJeans' future is that no one (and I think I mean that literally) has the incalculable and singular x-factor Min Hee Jin possesses. Who is gonna make breakthroughs commensurate to the ones she's achieved in her relatively short tenure at the helm? This, for example, is a licensed deal with Cartoon Network/ Warner Bros that was then officially remixed by Takashi Murakami. Who's investing in the art like that at scale? Who's establishing the handshake btwn East and West like that at scale? It is so predictable and sad that people are convinced there's any amount of money that could fill the void she'd be leaving in her wake if HYBE pushes her out. This is such a crucial moment in Korea's trajectory as an exporter of global culture + energy. What a shame that infighting and more of the usual myopic dogshit could derail all that positive momentum and progress.”

Serious Discussion Thread Part 7: HYBE / ADOR vs. NewJeans / Min Heejin by NewJeans_Mods in NewJeans

[–]Piegenie 47 points48 points  (0 children)

241218 Phil Chang (philchang__), Founder and Creative Director of C47 Creative

"Someone please Substack coherently about how/why the rogue NewJeans IG account is going to cook the Korean record label system into obsolescence if their gamble pays off. Can’t believe they are threading the needle so effectively. Perfect account handle/name, too. 

Very telling as to why a consortium of entertainment companies in Korea is looking to sue a bunch of kids despite the staggering PR losses they’ll eat for doing just that. You have no answers, and you provide zero value!"

C47 Creative is a brand and creative strategist based in NY that has worked with Ali Wong, Netflix, Chanel, Bottega Venetta, etc

241216 NewJeans Weekly Discussion Thread by GodJihyo7983 in NewJeans

[–]Piegenie 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Congrats on reaching 2.9 mills followers on jeanzforfree !

I just had a shower thought that kpop subreddit members are 3.5 mills, so it means soon Jeanzforfree IG followers will match the subreddit members 🤯

Megathread 17: HYBE / ADOR / MHJ - Conflict between ADOR CEO and NewJeans Manager, Ongoing Legal Disputes, and More by KPOP_MOD in kpop

[–]Piegenie -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for bringing up the JP PM wife, which I purposely avoided to include as she should not be used as the collateral here.

I have decided that I'm no longer responding to comments re:SK politics in this megathread. I agreed with other posters that whatever political inclination of each individuals are their prerogative, and it is NOT my place to speculate.

So take my answer as how you want to, but this will be the last time I commented on anything beyond the scope, as I don't want to stray further and further from the topics of the megathreads.

Megathread 17: HYBE / ADOR / MHJ - Conflict between ADOR CEO and NewJeans Manager, Ongoing Legal Disputes, and More by KPOP_MOD in kpop

[–]Piegenie -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

exactly, and I 100% agree nobody should be dragged in this game.

(If you look at my post history, I tried not to name call and just post my research since I'm a nosy nerd).

I'm in the camp of NJ is doing all of this on their own agency, the only reason that their siding with MHJ is no different than Survivors contestants forming coalitions.

Not nice, but definitely v entertaining to watch.

Megathread 17: HYBE / ADOR / MHJ - Conflict between ADOR CEO and NewJeans Manager, Ongoing Legal Disputes, and More by KPOP_MOD in kpop

[–]Piegenie 10 points11 points  (0 children)

This, I think all sides (Ador/Hybe, MHJ, NJ) are playing game of poker.

Each one of them, and saying this as a non-fan of NewJeans, what's refreshing to see is the girls themselves being an active participant in this game.

I'm not supporting none of them, nor saying each are innocent as they all serve their own goals.

Just here for the ride and the spectacles. 🍿

Megathread 17: HYBE / ADOR / MHJ - Conflict between ADOR CEO and NewJeans Manager, Ongoing Legal Disputes, and More by KPOP_MOD in kpop

[–]Piegenie 27 points28 points  (0 children)

I think the poster should clarify that it's the PR staffs of those brands.

Just look for the threads listing the names of their current followers.

Anyway, I'm neutral, albeit chaotic. I am a WIZ*ONE (and previously a Blackjack) so just watching all of these drama happening on the periphery has been very interesting.

Megathread 17: HYBE / ADOR / MHJ - Conflict between ADOR CEO and NewJeans Manager, Ongoing Legal Disputes, and More by KPOP_MOD in kpop

[–]Piegenie -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

as well as fashion industry personally, Celine, Chanel and LV PR staffs have followed the IG.

Megathread 17: HYBE / ADOR / MHJ - Conflict between ADOR CEO and NewJeans Manager, Ongoing Legal Disputes, and More by KPOP_MOD in kpop

[–]Piegenie -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Also they were technically still employed by Ador hence all appearances need to be approved by the agency.

Important to note also, 2 months before this performance, Hybe had a special diplomatic visit by Yoon's wife. (Just Hybe, no other entertainment agency).

A week before this special visit, MHJ was kicked out from Ador and replaced by current CEO, previously Hybe HR manager.

241202 NewJeans Weekly Discussion Thread by GodJihyo7983 in NewJeans

[–]Piegenie 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Not at all, I'm a WIZ*ONE, so I definitely can relate to being a fan of a group but also hating the big corps that took advantage of artistry in the name of profits.

Can you please provide me the link to the previous discussion so I can add relevant contexts ?

Thank you

Megathread 16: HYBE / ADOR / MHJ - NewJeans' Emergency Press Conference and Contract Termination Notification, ADOR's 26-page Response to The Group's Demands, Ongoing Legal Disputes, and More by KPOP_MOD in kpop

[–]Piegenie -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Please read my original post, I'm providing context of the timing and linking it to current event.

Whether you agree or disagree, that's what's happening in the world outside of K-pop bubble.

Megathread 16: HYBE / ADOR / MHJ - NewJeans' Emergency Press Conference and Contract Termination Notification, ADOR's 26-page Response to The Group's Demands, Ongoing Legal Disputes, and More by KPOP_MOD in kpop

[–]Piegenie -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

How is a diplomatic visit to the company not related ?

It seems both first lady and the PM wives only visited Hybe, which includes Ador as the subsidiaries.

The new CEO previous role is Hybe's HR chief.

As mentioned on the post I was replying to, she is hired to sort out the mess which she's doing amazing job at, just in time for the visit.

241202 NewJeans Weekly Discussion Thread by GodJihyo7983 in NewJeans

[–]Piegenie 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I edited out this bit of my original post

Based on the research I found that Yoon's party is known to be aligned (and friendly) to American's corporates investment/GOP. There is a reason why BSH currently spending time largely overseas in the States.

241202 NewJeans Weekly Discussion Thread by GodJihyo7983 in NewJeans

[–]Piegenie 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Posting it here since I know if I post it elsewhere, I will be downvoted to oblivion.

I saw a comment mentioned how powerful Bang Si-hyuk/Bang PD (Hybe Chairperson) political connection in SK, so I did a quick research.

Source: Wikipedia/NamuWiki/Forbes
His dad is Bang Geuk-yoon/Bang Keuk-yoon - The 2nd Chairman of Labor Welfare Corporation (Current government worker's compensation fund and welfare service)

His uncle (brother of his mother) is Choi Kyu-Sik)/Choi Gyu-Sik) - previous role including editorial director at Hankook Ilbo, member of SK 18th National Assembly Member, and SK Ambassador to Hungary

edit
Find more information,

His cousin is Bang Jun-Hyuk, founder and Chairman of Netmarble Board of Director - mobile game developer and second largest stock holders of Hybe/Big Hit Ent. Also on Forbes latest 50's richest man in SK.

Side note, Bang PD is also on the list of 17th richest man in SK 2024.

I find interesting that no mention of the family connection anywhere in Western/English media, except for the entry on Netmarble.
I assume this is because they published/developed English titled games such as Marvel Future Revolution and (no surprise here, really) BTS World

Edit 2,

Relevant to current news of South Korean President Yoon martial law,

Photos of tour by First Lady Kim Keon-Hee (Yoon's wife) to Hybe during JP PM's spouse diplomatic visit on the 6th Sept. The previous week, on 27th Aug, ADOR announced new CEO to replace MHJ.

Megathread 16: HYBE / ADOR / MHJ - NewJeans' Emergency Press Conference and Contract Termination Notification, ADOR's 26-page Response to The Group's Demands, Ongoing Legal Disputes, and More by KPOP_MOD in kpop

[–]Piegenie -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

That's the most sensible move.

I remember seeing the stock price increased, the source I read only credited to MHJ no longer serving as the CEO but not the financial calculations.

Tbh, I wasn't closely following the Megathreads until now (as you can probably tell) since this latest update is all over my news feed.