HYBE Under Fire For Allegedly Stealing From NewJeans’ Brand Deal

They reportedly transferred the money from NewJeans' PUBG brand deal.

HYBE Corp is once again under fire, and this time it’s for allegedly transferring billions of Korean Won from NewJeans brand earnings to a different subsidiary label. The Entertainment mega house is currently under investigation by South Korea’s National Tax Service, which is accusing HYBE of insider trading and tax evasion. Read on to know more about the HYBE and NewJeans case.

HYBE Allegedly Caught Transferring Money From NewJeans’ Brand Deal To Other Subsidiary

On 29 July, the police surprise raided HYBE’s headquarters in Yongsan without any prior notice. During the investigation, authorities seized multiple documents and data files. Among them was a file that revealed that 4.10 billion KRW from NewJeans’ 10 Billion KRW collaboration with PUBG Battlegrounds was transferred to another subsidiary label of the company, HYBE IM.

Initially, the correction notice suggested that only 500 million KRW  was misdirected, but further reports revealed the amount increased to ₩4.10 billion after Min Hee Jin, ADOR’s CEO and NewJeans’ creative head, stepped down. After the discrepancy was exposed, HYBE returned only 1.60 billion KRW, raising further questions about the internal handling of artist earnings.

This leaked document also aligns with Min Hee Jin’s claims that HYBE had been misappropriating funds to increase the revenue of HYBE IM, while taking money from ADOR and NewJeans’ earnings. Netizens are reacting negatively to this news and calling out HYBE for its illegal practices.

It is also important to note that this is just one of the few cases that is under review by the authorities right now. No official statement or official charges have been confirmed yet. 

HYBE and NewJeans are also currently embroiled in a legal dispute where the girl group and ADOR’s former CEO, Min Hee Jin, has accused HYBE of mismanaging NewJeans. The case is currently under trial, with its third hearing being conducted recently.

Also Read: Here Are All The Shocking Details Revealed In The Latest NewJeans-ADOR Court Case

As scrutiny grows, the controversy is casting a long shadow over the company’s reputation and raising concerns about how K-pop’s biggest labels manage their talent and finances.

Also Read: NewJeans’ Fan Collective Accuses ADOR Of Mismanagement and Neglect Following Third Lawsuit Hearing

 

First Published: July 30, 2025 11:29 AM