Seoul: Former ADOR chief executive Min Hee-jin on Wednesday offered to end all legal disputes with K-pop giant Hybe in return for giving up a 25.6 billion-won (US$17.89 million) put option from the company. Min, who now heads her own label Ooak Records, made the announcement at a press conference in central Seoul held shortly after a local court ruled partly in her favor in an ongoing legal battle with Hybe, the parent company of ADOR.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Min stated her willingness to exchange the 25.6 billion won for a different value, emphasizing the importance of the popular girl group NewJeans, which is under ADOR. "I'm here because there are values I desperately want more than a large sum of money. The reason is the NewJeans members. In return for giving up the 25.6 billion won, I propose that all civil and criminal lawsuits between us be concluded," she said.

Min expressed her concern over the ongoing legal battles, stating, "I cannot watch some standing on stage while others stand in court," highlighting the emotional toll the situation has taken on both the members and their fans. Her comments followed a recent decision by the Seoul Central District Court, which dismissed Hybe's lawsuit seeking to confirm the termination of its shareholders' agreement with Min and another executive.

The court also ruled that Hybe must pay Min 25.5 billion won due to the validity of the shareholders' agreement. It acknowledged that Min likely sought ways to make NewJeans independent from ADOR, but concluded that these actions did not constitute a serious breach of the agreement. Despite the ruling, Hybe appealed the decision last week, and the court accepted the company's request to stay the execution of the put option payment until an appellate ruling is made.