I’m not a lawyer. I don’t pretend to understand all the intricacies of Korean corporate law or how prosecutors decide what’s indictable. But I’ve been relatively following this whole Min Hee-jin vs. HYBE saga with growing unease — not just because it feels like a battle between David and Goliath, but because I’m starting to wonder whether the courtroom, in this case, is less about justice and more about pressure.
Let’s get this straight first: Min Hee-jin was cleared of criminal charges by the police. The Seoul Yongsan Police basically said, “We found no crime here,” and didn’t forward the breach of trust case to prosecutors. That’s a pretty big deal. In many countries, that would be the end of it.
But not here. Not when HYBE’s involved.
HYBE immediately announced it would appeal the non-indictment decision. Not just appeal — they came armed with “new” evidence, contracts, and court statements, many of which had already been seen in other hearings. It feels less like a new legal argument and more like a familiar corporate move: “We’re not done with you yet.”
And here’s where I get concerned. Because even if the law is supposed to be impartial, it’s still operated by people — and people carry biases. I’m not a sociologist either, but it’s hard not to notice the pattern when women in power in South Korea get taken down not just by allegations, but by the tone used to describe them.
Assertive becomes “manipulative.” Strategic becomes “sneaky.” Independent becomes “disloyal.”
And suddenly the woman who helped build one of K-pop’s most innovative brands is framed as the one who tried to destroy it.
It makes you wonder: is this just about breach of trust? Or is this about putting a woman in her place?
There’s a history here — of Korean courts and prosecutors not exactly having the best track record when it comes to gender. Victims of harassment or assault often get grilled harder than the perpetrators. Women whistleblowers are treated as disrupters, not truth-tellers. And while this case isn’t about sexual misconduct, it still smells of the same old playbook: pressure, discredit, isolate.
HYBE knows it’s already lost the PR war among younger, savvier fans. But if they can keep Min Hee-jin tangled in legal knots — appeal after appeal, court after court — they might not need to “win” outright. They just need to exhaust her, scare off her allies, and make others in the industry think twice before ever going up against them.
That’s why I don’t think this is over. Even though the police said no crime was committed. Even though civil courts have leaned in Min’s favor.
Because the real goal might no longer be conviction — it might just be submission.
And if that’s the case, then the courtroom isn’t just where justice is decided. It’s being used as the last, blunt instrument of a company that refuses to lose.
I hope the judges see that. And more importantly, I hope they resist it.
Disclaimer
This post reflects my personal views and observations. I’m not a legal or academic expert — just someone following the news and asking questions. No claims here are meant as fact or accusation.
Endnotes
- Korea Times. Former ADOR chief Min Hee-jin cleared of breach of trust charges. (2025, July 15). https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/amp/southkorea/law-crime/20250715/former-ador-chief-min-hee-jin-cleared-of-breach-of-trust-charges
- Korea JoongAng Daily. HYBE to immediately appeal decision to clear Min Heejin of breach of trust charges.(2025, July 15). https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-07-15/national/socialAffairs/HYBE-to-immediately-appeal-decision-to-clear-Min-Heejin-of-breach-of-trust-charges/2353086
- Soompi. Former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin Cleared Of Occupational Breach Of Trust Charges Filed By HYBE.(2025, July 15). https://www.soompi.com/article/1759918wpp/former-ador-ceo-min-hee-jin-cleared-of-occupational-breach-of-trust-charges-filed-by-hybe
- Reddit – r/kpop. Min Hee Jin was found not guilty of breach of trust charges… (2025, July 15). https://www.reddit.com/r/kpop/comments/1m057vw/min_hee_jin_was_found_not_guilty_of_breach_of/
- Allkpop. Police clear Min Hee Jin of breach of trust allegations filed by HYBE. (2025, July 15) https://www.allkpop.com/article/2025/07/police-clear-min-hee-jin-of-breach-of-trust-allegations-filed-by-hybe
- The Korea Herald. Min Hee-jin cleared of breach of trust; HYBE vows appeal. (2025, July 15) https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10531994
- Asian Junkie. Min Hee Jin cleared of breach of trust charges, HYBE to appeal… (2025, July 15) https://www.asianjunkie.com/2025/07/14/min-hee-jin-cleared-of-breach-of-trust-charges-hybe-to-appeal-reveal-theyve-also-been-cleared-of-charges/
