ADOR Chief Min Hee-jin Claims Hybe Committed 'Illegal Audit,' Hybe Refutes

연합뉴스 / 2024-05-10 10:10:35

▲ This undated file photo shows an exterior view of the Hybe building in central Seoul. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, May 10 (Yonhap) -- Min Hee-jin, the CEO of K-pop agency ADOR, claimed on the 10th that they had suffered from an illegal audit by Hybe ahead of a board meeting.

In response, Hybe stated that it was a "problem-free audit."

ADOR stated in a press release, "Hybe's audit team initiated an audit of ADOR's styling directing team leader at 7 p.m. on the 9th after work hours... The audit continued for over five hours until midnight."

ADOR claimed, "The audit team conducted an audit that went beyond the scope of work, following the member to their home and demanding not only a laptop but also a personal mobile phone, and even resorted to a very serious level of coercion. It has threatened to go to the police if cooperation was not provided." ADOR asserted that such actions constituted unreasonable behavior and psychological pressure on their employees.

▲ Hybe CEO Park Ji-won (L) and ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin. (Yonhap)

According to ADOR, Hybe raised issues regarding the contractual relationship between ADOR and the styling directing team leader, suspecting embezzlement and misappropriation.

ADOR argued, "What Hybe is concerned about is that internal members received the amount paid by advertisers instead of incentives from ADOR," and "since no financial harm was caused to ADOR, contrary to Hybe's claims, embezzlement cannot be established."

Moreover, ADOR emphasized, "Such contractual relationships are common practices in the industry," and "this information has already been shared with Hybe's HR (Human Resources) and ER (Employee Relations) departments in February."

ADOR also stated that until last year, they had handled advertising styling work internally rather than through outsourcing, so there was no issue with internal members receiving the amount paid by advertisers for their work. ADOR also mentioned that they had already reached an agreement with Hybe to outsource advertising styling work to external personnel starting this year due to an increase in advertising and other duties.

ADOR criticized Hybe's move as an illegal method that constitutes obstruction of business, coercion, and invasion of privacy. They also stated that they are considering withdrawing consent for the use of personal information obtained during the audit process and are contemplating suing Hybe for obstruction of business and coercion.

In response, Hybe stated, "Claiming 'illegal' using a legitimate audit procedure is problematic," and said, "We will soon announce a position that contains accurate facts."