NewJeans' Minji Changes Profile Picture Amidst Major Changes in Management

Minji of the group NewJeans has updated her profile picture on the fan communication platform, Phoning, on November 20. The new image features a screenshot of Eunwoo and Jungwoo, the sons of national fencing representative Kim Jun-ho, who appears on KBS2's The Return of Superman (슈퍼맨이 돌아왔다). Minji has previously expressed a special fondness for the two boys, stating, "I have been watching Jungwoo and Eunwoo for a long time. I really wanted to meet them, which is why I decided to appear on the show." While this profile picture change could simply reflect her affection for the children, it coincides with the day that Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of ADOR and a self-proclaimed 'NewJeans mom,' announced her complete departure from HYBE, leading to various interpretations of its significance.

On the same day, Min Hee-jin declared, "I am resigning from my position as a director at ADOR and terminating my shareholder agreement with HYBE." She claimed that despite her efforts to protect NewJeans, she faced harassment from HYBE, which accused her of 'management takeover' following her whistleblowing. Min Hee-jin expressed her outrage, stating that HYBE presented a facade of negotiation while withholding essential documents and imposing a contract filled with toxic clauses, calling it a "historical atrocity."

In response, ADOR expressed regret over Min Hee-jin's unilateral resignation, stating, "We will do our utmost to support NewJeans in their growth and development."

As of now, NewJeans has not released an official statement. However, the members sent a letter demanding the return of Min Hee-jin, a thorough investigation into internal documents at HYBE, and a formal apology from a manager who told them to ignore Hani. They warned that if their demands were not met, they would terminate their contracts.