Min Hee Jin, former CEO of ADOR, has officially begun preparations to produce a new idol group.
According to a December 3 report by SPOTV News, OOAK Records—the newly founded agency established by Min Hee Jin—will hold a private on-site audition on December 7 at a well-known dance academy. Min Hee Jin completed corporate registration for OOAK Records in October and even secured a building near Sinsa-dong in Seoul’s Gangnam district.
OOAK Records is registered to operate in artist management, music and album production and distribution, concert and event planning, and brand management. Min is listed as an internal director of the company.
She also confirmed the establishment of the label by issuing a press statement under the OOAK Records name during the third hearing of her shareholder-agreement termination lawsuit against HYBE, in which she is also pursuing a put option claim.
Amid this, OOAK Records has drawn attention by launching trainee recruitment through official auditions—signaling her intention to form a new team, effectively replacing NewJeans with a new lineup of trainees. Applicants born between 2006 and 2011 are eligible regardless of nationality or gender, indicating that both girl group and boy group projects are being considered.
The dance studio hosting the auditions is regarded as one of Korea’s top three renowned studios and previously sent a crew to compete on Mnet’s 'Street Dance Girls Fighter 2.' Kirsten, leader of the famed Jam Republic crew, once remarked that it was the first place she taught a class in Korea. Kyoka, leader of the 'World of Street Woman Fighter' champion team Osaka Ojo Gang, has also held special classes there, and NewJeans’ performance director Black.Q has taught lessons at the studio as well.
Korean netizens have directed their attention to Min Hee Jin's latest activities and gathered in a popular online community to share their thoughts. Many are expressing disbelief and commented:
"It’s really only NewJeans that ended up getting screwed."
"This is too funny lol."
"After making such a fuss about others copying her, I guess we’ll have to check if she copied anything too."
"Completely doomed."
"I knew this would happen… sigh."
"I feel bad for NewJeans."
"Legally, there’s nothing stopping her—she’s just doing her job. I’m curious what the outcome will be. It’ll take time before anything is released anyway, and once it does, people will definitely pay attention. For some trainees, that company might actually be the better choice. Also, HYBE bragging about its capital is kinda funny… as if every group outside HYBE has terrible taste or something."
"Can’t believe that logo wasn’t just doodling…"
"I thought it was the old Twitter logo. What’s going on with her aesthetic? Not that I’ve ever found her taste good, but still…"
"Looks like she’s trying to make the second NewJeans lol."
"Just ditched NewJeans and start over from scratch."
"Honestly, I’m curious how this will unfold. Maybe she’ll get unexpected investors?"
"Judging by the comments, people are insanely interested."
"Are there even investors?"
"Desperate trainees will still go, sadly…"
"Did she fund that company entirely on her own?"
"Her hardcore fans will invest, her hardcore fans will audition, her hardcore fans will support, and her hardcore fans will buy everything. They’re still loud on Twitter."
"The public keeps enabling people like her. These people clinging on and hyping everything up—may they be her servants forever."
"Good or bad, once they debut, they’ll definitely make headlines."
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below!
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