“We will proceed with all previously scheduled activities.” (November 28, 2024)
That was what NewJeans said at their press conference announcing the termination of their exclusive contract.
The very next day, however, they reversed course, informing ADOR of their intention to suspend activities.
“It will be difficult for us to film content exclusively for the Japanese fan club.” (November 29, 2024)
The group boycotted their annual January fan club kit production, New Year greetings, and ID shoots. Instead, they flew to Japan, where they met an elderly man known as a member of Japan’s former aristocracy. He was the late Kazumichi Goh.
Who called NewJeans to Japan? It was Min Hee Jin.
Dispatch investigated what it describes as Min Hee Jin’s hidden blueprint. Based on testimonies and evidence from insiders who observed her actions, the outlet claims to have uncovered four new key developments not revealed in court.
Kazumichi Goh, born in 1954, was a major figure in Japanese motorsports. He founded Team Goh in 1996 and won the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2004.
He was also known as a wealthy heir. His maternal grandfather was Shojiro Ishibashi, founder of Bridgestone Tire Company. His grandfather was Takasaburo Goh, a former executive at Nisshin Seifun Group.
According to sources, Min Hee Jin met Kazumichi Goh in late 2024. Insiders claim the meeting was not merely social.
“At the time, Min Hee Jin needed funding. That’s when she was introduced to the Japanese grandfather,” one source alleged.
Min Hee Jin reportedly summoned all five members of NewJeans to Tokyo to meet him. Goh was said to be a devoted fan of the group, and insiders suggest that his admiration may have been strategically leveraged.
Dispatch reports that NewJeans met Goh in Japan at least three times. All members traveled in January, with additional visits in March and April - sometimes together, sometimes separately.
The group reportedly celebrated his personal anniversaries, delivering birthday gifts and handwritten letters.
“Min Hee Jin said he was an important person. The members were puzzled but prepared accordingly,” a source close to the group said.
What exactly was discussed?
An insider familiar with the situation suggested the meetings intensified after the group declared contract termination and may have involved investment discussions.
In March 2025, NewJeans released “Pit Stop” under the name NJZ. Some have speculated whether the track was a tribute to the Japanese racing magnate, particularly as ComplexCon Hong Kong was also reportedly spearheaded by Min Hee Jin. In particular, Kazumichi Goh, who founded the Japanese auto racing team Team Goh, believed that "The pitstop decides everything."
On March 7, 2025, at the Seoul Central District Court, judges asked how NewJeans was preparing for their Hong Kong performance.
In court, NewJeans’ side did not mention Min Hee Jin, stating instead that the event organizer was providing support.
“We have not yet secured an agency or performance planner. Once the injunction decision is made and issues are resolved, we will proceed. For now, the organizer is supplying necessary personnel.”
Dispatch claims to have obtained the contract between NewJeans and ComplexCon Hong Kong. The group’s appearance fee was 350,000 USD. Consulting fees were reportedly 500,000 USD, including staff expenses. In total, NewJeans were paid 850,000 USD.
Min Hee Jin, the members’ parents, and legal representatives allegedly discussed the contract in a group chat before signing it on December 18, 2024. However, Min Hee Jin’s name was reportedly kept off the frontlines to avoid potential tampering allegations.
NewJeans treated the Hong Kong stage as a launchpad for independent activities, performing despite the court ruling and unveiling “Pit Stop.”
The event was organized by Bonnie Chan Woo, CEO of Complex China and a key figure in the Chinese pop culture industry. Reports claim that in October last year, she sent a proposal to HYBE offering to purchase 80 percent of ADOR’s shares for KRW 400 billion.
The proposal allegedly included a condition demanding 100 percent control over artist contracts and operations.
“We discussed matters with NewJeans’ representatives. They said they had no intention of returning even if they lost the contract lawsuit. If we acquire the shares, we plan to immediately resume music production and performances.”
Who exactly were these “representatives”?
Dispatch asserts that one consistent presence in decision-making was Min Hee Jin, describing her as the unseen hand prolonging the NewJeans dispute.
On March 21, 2025, the court granted ADOR’s injunction preserving its status as NewJeans’ agency, effectively halting the group’s independent activities.
Yet two days later, NewJeans announced they would attend ComplexCon Hong Kong under the name NJZ.
Dispatch obtained messages allegedly exchanged between Min Hee Jin and Danielle’s mother. The conversation suggested crafting a narrative emphasizing psychological pressure and anxiety over participating in ADOR-related activities.
Min Hee Jin reportedly advised posting a brief statement on NJZ’s PR account, offering to revise the wording herself.
The strategy, according to Dispatch, was to build grounds for nullifying the exclusive contract by citing emotional distress.
Translation:
Danielle's Mom: "Can’t the members refuse to attend ADOR events, saying they’re feeling psychological pressure?"
Danielle's Mom: "I think it would be favorable for the main lawsuit."
Danielle's Mom: "If we officially make it look like the members requested that ADOR be blocked from attending ComplexCon, and ComplexCon accepted that request,"
Danielle's Mom: "It could serve as evidence that the members view ADOR as a source of psychological pressure. I think that would be beneficial."
Min Hee Jin: "Okay."
Min Hee Jin: "Let's post in on the PR account."
Danielle's Mom: "Since articles have already reported that ADOR is also attending, we should respond by saying the members are anxious about how ADOR might interfere or slander them if they show up."
Min Hee Jin: (Referring to including a request to prevent ADOR from attending ComplexCon) "Please write it briefly based on that. I’ll revise it."
Min Hee Jin won her put option lawsuit, with the court ruling that although there had been discussions of seeking independence, they were not carried out. That distinction proved decisive, resulting in a 25.5 billion KRW (approx. 17.7 million USD) outcome in her favor.
However, Dispatch alleges that while she may not have executed certain plans earlier, she did actively orchestrate the November 28, 2024, contract termination press conference.
The outlet claims to have secured evidence that Min Hee Jin directed the event behind the scenes, wrote the script, briefed the members, and oversaw the rebuttal press materials, including timing and distribution.
Although statements were issued under NewJeans’ name, Dispatch alleges Min Hee Jin was the ghostwriter.
On November 14, 2024, NewJeans sent a formal notice demanding Min Hee Jin’s reinstatement as CEO and an apology from HYBE.
Six days later, she submitted her resignation, writing that malicious actions should not damage “the essence of the business.”
After her departure, NewJeans announced contract termination, stating they had not discussed the matter separately with Min Hee Jin but believed she shared their views.
At the time, Min Hee Jin was an internal director at ADOR. Dispatch suggests her resignation one week before the press conference may have been a move to avoid potential breach of duty liability.
The court acknowledged that discussions of independence had taken place but appeared to have halted after HYBE launched an audit on April 22, 2024.
Min Hee Jin secured 25.5 billion KRW because plans had not been executed.
But how will those plans be remembered?
Allegations include attempting to secure investors, designing contract termination while serving as an internal director, mobilizing members for meetings with potential backers, testing independent activities in Hong Kong, and exploring alternative branding under NJZ.
Dispatch concludes that while certain plans may not have been carried out, it was only because they were exposed, not because they were abandoned.
In its framing, Min Hee Jin emerged financially unscathed. NewJeans did not.
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