2024-07-23 Dispatch Article

Korean Original: [D-eye] "데려오고 싶어졌어"…민희진, 뉴진스 뺏기의 전말 | 디스패치 | 뉴스는 팩트다!

Internet Archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20250000000000*/https://www.dispatch.co.kr/2299502

English Translation: AI translation with Grok

Warning: 

• The following article has been altered multiple times, including the deletion of footage and images, and the application of blurring effects around facial areas. It originally contained illegal and sensitive material released without consent, in an apparent attempt to sexually harass members of NewJeans, including minors.

• It also includes reconstructions of leaked and illegally reproduced private KakaoTalk messages originated from HYBE, which may have been altered or manipulated.

• Furthermore, the article contains claims that are currently being disputed in court as part of an ongoing defamation case. 

[D-eye] "I wanted to take them"… Min Hee-jin, the full story of taking NewJeans

July 23, 2024, 10:40 AM | November 20, 2024, 3:32 PM

[Dispatch=Reporters Kim Ji-ho and Park Hye-jin] March 27, 2021, N-Team (now NewJeans) debut evaluation.

Seven trainees under Source Music stood in front of the camera. The assigned song was "Attention." Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, Hyein, OO, and △△ competed to be selected for the debut lineup.

[image - redacted due to privacy concerns

Exclusive

Team N (now NewJeans) debut evaluation video

March 27, 2021 / Source Music practice room]

Source Music had been preparing a new girl group since 2018, under the project name N-Team, with a target debut in the third quarter of 2021.

Min Hee-jin joined as the creator for N-Team in 2019, overseeing visuals and concept development. Source Music was responsible for management tasks, as well as song and choreography training.

The first result was the debut evaluation video (2021) mentioned earlier. Even three years ago, N-Team showcased the vibe of "Attention." There was no issue with them carrying the title of "HYBE’s first girl group."

However, N-Team’s debut was indefinitely delayed. Did Source Music neglect them, or did Min Hee-jin stand by idly?

A Misaligned Partnership

What Bang Si-hyuk couldn’t achieve, So Sung-jin wanted to accomplish. HYBE and Source Music aimed to reshape the girl group landscape through Min Hee-jin.

“Si-hyuk said he wasn’t confident with girl groups and asked to work together. (Omitted) But there were no trainees. He suggested using Source’s trainees to make it happen quickly…” (Min Hee-jin, April press conference)

Min Hee-jin was initially reluctant. She felt she wouldn’t have full control over the project. At the time of forming the N-Team collaboration, Source Music’s CEO, So Sung-jin, held the final decision-making authority.

“I initially said no. I’m the type who needs to do everything my way to feel satisfied, and I didn’t think that would be possible, so I hesitated. But Si-hyuk kept pushing…” (Min Hee-jin)

However, N-Team was a project she couldn’t refuse. Her role was HYBE’s CBO, overseeing branding for HYBE and its labels. Min Hee-jin had joined HYBE for that very purpose.

Ultimately, she accepted the offer, stepping into the N-Team collaboration as the branding lead. But it was a misaligned partnership. Their directions diverged. What was Min Hee-jin pursuing?

Translated with Google Translate

Role, Role, Role, Role, Role

Dispatch obtained the N-Team collaboration’s role and responsibility (R&R) document, drafted on May 19, 2020. According to the R&R, music was handled by Bang Si-hyuk, branding by Min Hee-jin, performance by Source Music, management by Source Music, and the final decision-maker was So Sung-jin.

Min Hee-jin joined as the branding lead, proposing the team’s name, visuals, and concepts to Source Music. However, the collaboration wasn’t smooth. Min Hee-jin demanded more authority, from branding to music (A&R) and performance.

So Sung-jin accommodated her requests as much as possible. On March 4, 2021, Bang Si-hyuk stepped back from music leadership (fulfilling Min Hee-jin’s wish, as later referenced in her conversation about an ancestor spirit). Min Hee-jin described herself as someone who needs to “do things her way to be satisfied.” Bang Si-hyuk and So Sung-jin didn’t suppress her, accepting her R&R adjustment requests at least four times.

Despite this, the N-Team project stalled at Source Music. Did Min Hee-jin have another plan?

[image - redacted due to privacy concerns

March 2021, @SourceMusic Research Team]

Hidden Intentions?

Back to the March 2021 debut evaluation.

N-Team was already preparing with “Attention.” Source Music trained them in singing, choreography, and languages. All that was needed was the branding proposal to accelerate the debut.

The issue was that the branding materials existed only in Min Hee-jin’s mind. She claimed to have a plan, but Source Music never received the final materials to introduce N-Team to the market.

“I had a separate plan I made here. I thought, ‘This is how it should be done,’ but Si-hyuk didn’t like it much.” (Min Hee-jin)

Translated with Google Translate

Warning: This image presented as a "screenshot" of a KakaoTalk conversation is not an actual screenshot. It is a reproduction based on illegally obtained private messages from a server, reconstructed to appear as a screenshot. Such "screenshots" released by HYBE have previously been proven to be manipulated or edited. 

It seems Min Hee-jin delayed work for a reason. A conversation with a shaman, K, in April 2021 offers clues:

Min Hee-jin: I should lead this under my label, but it’s complicated.

Min Hee-jin: I want it publicized that I led the music too, but I don’t know if they’ll concede.

Shaman: Everything is being prepared. It’ll be done by May or June. So Sung-jin will step back.

Min Hee-jin: Will he? He’s a greedy jerk.

The final piece of a girl group project is branding, Min Hee-jin’s domain. But for reasons Source Music didn’t know (though the shaman did), it was delayed. That time was critical.

Min Hee-jin knew So Sung-jin could do it alone. Source Music told Dispatch, “Branding is a matter of decision-making. If Plan A isn’t available, you move to Plan B.”

“Branding is about choices. Min Hee-jin was Plan A, of course. But if Plan A isn’t there, you go with Plan B. The problem was Min Hee-jin’s false hope.” (Source Music)

Translated with Google Translate

Min Hee-jin: Next Week, Next Week, Next Week

On March 17, 2021, Min Hee-jin sent an email to the N-Team collaboration:

“For the debut album, since I’ve pre-collected and planned content, we need to discuss my level of A&R involvement. We’ll schedule after my team’s vacation next week.” (Min Hee-jin)

Translated with Google Translate

On March 31, Source Music sent a message to the CBO team:

Source: When can we have our meeting?
CBO: Can I check with Hee-jin and get back to you?

On April 5:

Source: Hello.
CBO: Hee-jin said to schedule for next week.
Source: Since the debut evaluation is done…
CBO: I’ll let you know once next week’s schedule is set.

Six days later, on April 12:

Source: When can we get a response on the meeting schedule?
Source: Are we reviewing the materials Sung-jin mentioned together?
CBO: It’s hard to schedule soon. We’ll arrange a meeting for next week.

Translated with Google Translate

Warning: This image presented as a "screenshot" of a KakaoTalk conversation is not an actual screenshot. It is a reproduction based on illegally obtained private messages from a server, reconstructed to appear as a screenshot. Such "screenshots" released by HYBE have previously been proven to be manipulated or edited. 

On April 19, So Sung-jin, after waiting over a month:

So Sung-jin: Can’t we receive the debut concept and promotion plan by April?
Min Hee-jin: My label’s organization comes first. Shouldn’t Source’s 2021 team resource allocation be sorted accordingly?

Collaboration means working with others. What was Min Hee-jin’s attitude? Source Music inquired about meeting schedules throughout April. Min Hee-jin repeated “next week” four times.

What was she really thinking?

Translated with Google Translate

Warning: This image presented as a "screenshot" of a KakaoTalk conversation is not an actual screenshot. It is a reproduction based on illegally obtained private messages from a server, reconstructed to appear as a screenshot. Such "screenshots" released by HYBE have previously been proven to be manipulated or edited. 

Min Hee-jin: Shaman, Shaman, Shaman

Spring 2021 was busy for Min Hee-jin. While N-Team awaited branding materials, she was constantly consulting shaman K. (She reportedly spent nearly 40 million won on rituals and prayers in March and April.)

Translated with Google Translate

Warning: This image presented as a "screenshot" of a KakaoTalk conversation is not an actual screenshot. It is a reproduction based on illegally obtained private messages from a server, reconstructed to appear as a screenshot. Such "screenshots" released by HYBE have previously been proven to be manipulated or edited. 

Examples: 1. “Did you change Bang Si-hyuk’s mind? Why did the pig step back?”

Translated with Google Translate

Warning: This image presented as a "screenshot" of a KakaoTalk conversation is not an actual screenshot. It is a reproduction based on illegally obtained private messages from a server, reconstructed to appear as a screenshot. Such "screenshots" released by HYBE have previously been proven to be manipulated or edited. 

2. “Do I have to do it here? I could get other investors. I’m doing Source a favor.”

Translated with Google Translate

Warning: This image presented as a "screenshot" of a KakaoTalk conversation is not an actual screenshot. It is a reproduction based on illegally obtained private messages from a server, reconstructed to appear as a screenshot. Such "screenshots" released by HYBE have previously been proven to be manipulated or edited. 

3. “The girl group should be under my label’s name, and I’ll fight So Sung-jin to win.”

Translated with Google Translate

Warning: This image presented as a "screenshot" of a KakaoTalk conversation is not an actual screenshot. It is a reproduction based on illegally obtained private messages from a server, reconstructed to appear as a screenshot. Such "screenshots" released by HYBE have previously been proven to be manipulated or edited. 

4. “Should I resign in July and start my label outside (HYBE)?”

Translated with Google Translate

Warning: This image presented as a "screenshot" of a KakaoTalk conversation is not an actual screenshot. It is a reproduction based on illegally obtained private messages from a server, reconstructed to appear as a screenshot. Such "screenshots" released by HYBE have previously been proven to be manipulated or edited. 

5. “My label uses Bang Si-hyuk’s money, and Banna uses Kakao’s money.”

This isn’t to criticize Min Hee-jin’s ambitions. Wanting to “do Source a favor,” “avoid losses,” or “be recognized for leading” is understandable. But it’s not a collaborative mindset. If their directions differed, she should have fought or stepped back. She did neither—just made others wait.

[image - redacted due to privacy concerns]

Who Was the Collaboration For?

In 2018, So Sung-jin cast Kim Minji during Source Music’s days, now the leader Minji. In November 2019, Hanni was selected through the “Plus Global Audition.” Haerin was scouted on the street in November 2019, despite being a trainee at another agency. Her mother contacted Source Music in December, and a contract was signed in February 2020. Danielle, a former YG trainee, joined in July 2020. For Hyein, So Sung-jin personally met her and convinced her parents, finalizing the contract in January 2021.

From 2018 to 2021, Source Music gathered 10 trainees, aiming for a third-quarter 2021 debut. But the plan faltered due to the N-Team collaboration.

Translated with Google Translate

On May 7, 2021, Bang Si-hyuk messaged CEO Park Ji-won:

“Source briefed (Min Hee-jin) on the desired image for N-Team, and Hee-jin agreed to brand based on that. But we’ve waited almost eight months, and she hasn’t adhered to the agreed timelines, leaving us unable to proceed.” (Bang Si-hyuk)

Delaying N-Team’s debut wasn’t an option. Bang Si-hyuk suggested, “What if Hee-jin focuses on her M-label, and (HYBE A) director takes over?”

Translated with Google Translate

Source Wanted N-Team First

Source’s initial goal was N-Team in Q3 2021, followed by S-Team (now LE SSERAFIM) in Q1 2022. By June 2021, the N-Team collaboration was still adjusting R&R.

Dispatch obtained the “Source Girl Group Launch Meeting Minutes” from June 18, 2021. Source clearly prioritized N-Team:

• N-Team has Source’s originality.

• Promoted as HYBE’s first girl group and Min Hee-jin’s girl group.

• From a label reputation and operational perspective, N-Team’s debut is logical.

• If branded as Min Hee-jin’s girl group, it could spark an SM vs. Min competition.

“Priority is N-Team, then S-Team. Coordination with Min Hee-jin is key. If N-Team’s debut is delayed to Q1 2022, consider debuting S-Team first.” (Meeting Minutes)

Source explained, “Considering S-Team’s buzzworthy members, we couldn’t delay indefinitely. Plus, S-Team was on track for Q1 2022.”

Translated with Google Translate

Warning: This image presented as a "screenshot" of a KakaoTalk conversation is not an actual screenshot. It is a reproduction based on illegally obtained private messages from a server, reconstructed to appear as a screenshot. Such "screenshots" released by HYBE have previously been proven to be manipulated or edited. 

Different Dreams, Same Bed

On June 9, 2021, Park Ji-won, So Sung-jin, and Min Hee-jin met. Park Ji-won suggested, “S-Team could be HYBE’s first girl group.” Min Hee-jin retorted, “Are you a thug?” But with the shaman, she strategized differently, asking, “What if I take N-Team?”

Min Hee-jin: I want to bring the girl group to my label.

Shaman: They’re pushing Sakura’s team first, so use that.

Min Hee-jin: Let them debut Sakura’s team, and I’ll handle the girl group?

Shaman: Make a bold move by taking N-Team.

Min Hee-jin: So Sung-jin will lose it, lol.

Source longed for N-Team’s debut; Min Hee-jin dreamed of transferring them. Min Hee-jin won. In September 2021, Source let go of N-Team. Instead, S-Team debuted in May 2022.

[image - redacted due to irrelevance]

Min Hee-jin Isn’t Cinderella

Per Min Hee-jin’s (press conference) wording, HYBE and Source are “thugs”:

1. HYBE broke promises like thugs and delayed the debut.

2. (NewJeans) I scouted them, and they joined because of my name.

3. Source took 2 billion won as consolation while handing them over.

4. Source (per parents) neglected management.

5. But Cinderella always wins!

So Sung-jin filed a damages lawsuit against Min Hee-jin:

1. NewJeans’ debut was delayed due to late branding materials.

2. Source cast the trainees, and Min Hee-jin had veto power.

3. The 2 billion won wasn’t consolation but trainee investment costs.

4. Source trained N-Team until the transfer (September 5, 2021).

5. Why is Min Hee-jin Cinderella?

Translated with Google Translate

Warning: This image presented as a "screenshot" of a KakaoTalk conversation is not an actual screenshot. It is a reproduction based on illegally obtained private messages from a server, reconstructed to appear as a screenshot. Such "screenshots" released by HYBE have previously been proven to be manipulated or edited. 

P.S. Min Hee-jin achieved her goal. (Her words) She succeeded in “taking” the girl group.

Translated with Google Translate

Warning: This image presented as a "screenshot" of a KakaoTalk conversation is not an actual screenshot. It is a reproduction based on illegally obtained private messages from a server, reconstructed to appear as a screenshot. Such "screenshots" released by HYBE have previously been proven to be manipulated or edited. 

In the process, she heavily relied on the shaman’s “pick.”

[image - redacted due to privacy concerns

Exclusive

Source Music - M Label (now ADOR)

Transfer D-4, Training and Evaluation]

Source trained N-Team until September 5, 2021, writing weekly evaluation reports until four days before the transfer to ADOR.