Min Hee-jin's New Venture: 'OOAK' and the Potential NewJeans Penalty

Original source: blog.naver.com

Comments 0 Views 242 Date 2025-11-07 07:00

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All eyes in the entertainment industry are once again on Min Hee-jin, former CEO of ADOR.

She has signaled a full-fledged return after about a year by completing the corporate registration for her new entertainment agency, ‘OOAK’.

This timing is exquisitely close to the upcoming October 30th ruling on the validity of NewJeans' exclusive contract.

The industry is already buzzing with analysis that “Min Hee-jin has laid the groundwork for recruiting NewJeans.”

However, depending on the court's decision, her new beginning could be an opportunity or a risk.

This article explores the potential penalty burden Min Hee-jin may face and the significance of establishing ‘OOAK’.

[1] Min Hee-jin, the Beginning of the NewJeans Penalty Controversy – Background of the New Corporation ‘OOAK’

Min Hee-jin officially established ‘OOAK Co., Ltd.’ on October 16th.

The business objectives include celebrity management, record production and distribution, and concert planning.

This move, about a year after voluntarily resigning from ADOR, is effectively a declaration of her return to the entertainment industry.

The corporate location is near Garosu-gil in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, where its own building is under construction in the core commercial district of Sinsa-dong.

The industry interprets this as “a move considering the future recruitment of NewJeans.”

In particular, the name OOAK, short for “Only One A Kind,” is interpreted as a commitment to creating a differentiated artistic world.

Her return appears to be not just a simple corporate establishment but a signal that **another ‘Min Hee-jin style experiment’** has begun.

[2] Min Hee-jin, NewJeans Penalty Controversy – The Crossroads of Fate Determined by the October 30th Ruling

The core of this issue is the first instance ruling on the validity of NewJeans' exclusive contract scheduled for October 30th.

Currently, ADOR is pursuing a lawsuit against the five NewJeans members regarding the termination of their exclusive contracts.

Conversely, NewJeans argues that the contract is unfair and demands termination.

If the court rules in favor of the NewJeans members,

Min Hee-jin can officially recruit them through her new agency, OOAK.

However, if ADOR wins, the contract with NewJeans remains valid until July 2029.

In other words, this ruling is a watershed moment that will determine the direction of Min Hee-jin's OOAK project.

A clear scenario awaits: ‘a signal flare for return’ if she wins, and ‘a penalty burden of hundreds of millions’ if she loses.

[3] Min Hee-jin, NewJeans Penalty Burden – 1 Billion KRW per Person, Totaling Billions of KRW in Risk

There is a hurdle that Min Hee-jin and NewJeans must overcome to start working together again.

That is the penalty clause specified by the court.

In May of this year, the court ruled that if a NewJeans member acts independently without ADOR's prior approval,

they must pay 1 billion KRW in compensation per person.

With five members, the total penalty amount is at least 5 billion KRW or more.

If Min Hee-jin redebuts NewJeans through OOAK,

this amount is likely to be borne jointly by her and the corporation.

Moreover, ADOR can additionally claim ‘compensation for damages due to suspension of activities,’

and some analysts say that the actual burden could reach tens of billions of KRW.

Ultimately, the outcome of this ruling could completely change Min Hee-jin's future investment structure and capital procurement direction.

[4] Min Hee-jin, NewJeans Penalty Burden – No More Non-Compete Restrictions with HYBE

HYBE has currently terminated its shareholder agreement with Min Hee-jin.

Therefore, the non-compete clause has already expired.

This means that there are no legal restrictions on Min Hee-jin establishing a new corporation and discovering new artists.

HYBE is still pursuing a lawsuit against Min Hee-jin,

but the content is closer to ‘confirmation of contract termination’ rather than non-competition.

In other words, even if Min Hee-jin starts a new entertainment business through OOAK, HYBE has insufficient grounds to directly prevent it.

In this context, she is evaluated to have chosen the most favorable timing for a ‘legal return.’

[5] Min Hee-jin, NewJeans Penalty Burden – Can ‘OOAK’ Become the Second ADOR?

Industry experts are dividing the future of OOAK into two scenarios.

First, a model that attempts to re-recruit NewJeans.

If NewJeans wins the October 30th ruling, OOAK is likely to immediately accept them as affiliated artists.

However, if compensation for damages and penalties become a reality in the process,

Min Hee-jin will have to secure funds through attracting large investors or selling shares.

Second, a new girl group production model.

If NewJeans' return is difficult, OOAK will plan artists with a new concept and is likely to attempt a ‘Post NewJeans’ strategy.

The current capital is around 30 million KRW,

but her innovative planning ability, which she showed through ADOR in the past, is still a powerful weapon.

In the end, OOAK is not just a corporation,

but a space where Min Hee-jin has declared to the world again, **“I am still a creator.”**

[6] Min Hee-jin, NewJeans Penalty Burden – Remaining Variables and Possibilities

If the October 30th ruling favors ADOR, Min Hee-jin cannot bring NewJeans.

The exclusive contract is valid until 2029 and may be extended by the period of activity suspension.

In this case, unless she pays ADOR a penalty of hundreds of billions of KRW,

the scenario of directly recruiting NewJeans becomes virtually impossible.

So what is her next move?

There remains a way to directly nurture new artists,

or to introduce a global girl group through collaboration with overseas capital.

Just as Lee Soo-man, former head of SM, shifted his direction to the global market by establishing the US subsidiary A2O Entertainment after the termination of his contract with HYBE,

Min Hee-jin is also likely to seek expansion into a **‘creative-centered global entertainment’**.

Summary: Min Hee-jin, NewJeans Penalty Burden Key Summary

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