Amid Feud With NewJeans, ADOR Announces New CEO; Internet Divided Over ‘Timing’ Of Power Shift – ‘Min Hee-Jin Was Right…’
Amid its ongoing feud with Min Hee-Jin, ADOR has announced its new CEO. Lee Do-Kyung, who served as the Vice-President of HYBE will now be taking up the new role after Hee-Jin was asked to step down as ADOR’s CEO last year in the light of the clash around K-pop group NewJeans (NJZ). NewJeans and ADOR continue their legal battle over exclusive contract violation dispute.
ADOR’s new CEO
On August 20, several South Korean media outlets confirmed the news. According to reports, through the appointment ADOR intends to accelerate the label’s operations, encompassing planning and managing artist activities, including albums and performances.
ADOR had in August last year appointed human resources expert Kim Joo-Young as its CEO. The decision was made to normalise the management. Now with Lee’s selection, it aims at fostering the growth of its artists and the label. According to Kpop Herald, Lee is a HYBE veteran since 2019. “Lee led strategic business initiatives and the IPX division, spearheading artist IP projects like “THE CITY.” Under her leadership, #ADOR strengthens support for artists like #NewJeans and prepares for its next-generation boy band,” it stated.
The company’s decision was however met with scathing reactions from netizens. Many called the move “foolish” considering how ADOR is already embroiled in the major controversy with NewJean, and a change in leadership is expected to have a deep impact.
Internet reacts to ADOR’s new leadership
One netizen wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “maaaaaan…ador is so fucking stupid… like why would you replace the CEO in the middle of a lawsuit and another mediation session in 22 days.. that’s just admitting that management is so unstable, there’s zero contingency plans and that MHJ was right (again).”
Another user opined, “Lee Dokyung is incapable of this. She was just caught on tape admitting that she has no plans for managing NewJeans & it’s too “burdensome””
A user was however hopefull. “Big shift at ADOR with Lee Dokyung stepping in as the new CEO. Fresh leadership could mean a whole new direction for the label. Curious to see how this impacts their artists and upcoming projects. Definitely a moment to watch in the K-pop industry,” they wrote.
NewJeans Vs ADOR
NewJeans and ADOR are currently fighting a lawsuit due to an exclusive contract dispute after the girl band terminated its contract with the label in November 2024. It was recently reported that ADOR has removed the name of NewJeans from its website.