On August 20, HYBE announced that Lee Do Kyung, a high-ranking executive at the company, has been appointed the new CEO of ADOR. She takes over the position from Kim Ju Young, who was appointed to the job after Min Hee Jin left in August last year. This announcement has led to some digging in HYBE’s past and rumours about a high-ranking executive’s past linked to an aspiring singer’s death have resurfaced. Read on to find out more about the case.
Appointment Of New ADOR CEO Sheds Light On HYBE America’s COO Scandal
The announcement arrives at a volatile time for both HYBE and ADOR, as NewJeans pursue their legal battle with the label in a bid to end their contracts. Among the terms they allegedly placed on their self-proclaimed departure was the rehiring of Min Hee Jin as CEO. But Lee’s appointment has surprisingly refocused attention on another HYBE executive. In August 2023, HYBE America’s Chief Operating Officer, David Bolno, was tied to the murder of 24-year-old would-be singer Camila Sterling.
Sterling had been financially supported by Bolno, who allegedly spent over $140,000 to lease her a condo and assisted in promoting her music career. She reportedly called him her boyfriend in texts and voice messages, though Bolno was married with children and publicly denied any romantic relationship.
What Happened Between David Bolno And Camila Sterling
On March 30, 2023, Sterling was discovered dead in a luxury Miami Beach hotel room’s bathroom. Several packets of pink cocaine, which is a deadly cocktail of ketamine and caffeine were found along with condoms. Police surveillance recorded Bolno exiting the suite around 4.30 a.m. to take a flight. Sterling remained alive after leaving, as he had ordered room service, which left authorities suspecting him of not being directly involved in her death.
Despite this, reports suggested their relationship went beyond professional boundaries. Friends of Sterling stated she had often hinted at dating someone powerful who was helping her career.
The reopening of the case, after the ADOR leade has angered netizens. Most netizens condemned HYBE’s culture of power and secrecy, questioning how executives in such scandals remain allowed to hold high positions. Others felt disgusted by what they perceived as an outrageous disparity in the industry, where young women do the visible work and older male executives hold power at the top.
Also Read: HYBE Criticised For Enforcing Harsh Clauses In Employee Contracts