Min Hee Jin Acknowledges Past Relationship With BANA CEO Kim Ki Hyun In HYBE Lawsuit Hearing
BANA has produced some of NewJeans' most popular songs.
In a recent lawsuit hearing, the former ADOR CEO revealed that Kim Ki Hyun, the CEO of Beasts And Natives Alike (BANA), who was previously alleged to be in a contract with Newjeans, ADOR’s girl group, is her ex-boyfriend. The lawsuit hearing was held regarding two lawsuits, one filed by Min and the other by HYBE. The two parties have been in a legal conflict ever since HYBE accused the former CEO of orchestrating a coup to take over the company. Read on to know more.
Min Hee Jin Acknowledges CEO OF BANA As Her Ex Boyfriend
On 18th December, the Civil Division 31 of the Seoul Central District Court held a hearing regarding two lawsuits: one filed by Min Hee Jin against HYBE over payment for exercising her put option and the other by HYBE to confirm the termination of a shareholders’ agreement with Min.
After announcing their departure from ADOR, NewJeans rebranded as NJZ and attempted to promote independently. Beasts and Natives Alike (BANA) was the company that was rumoured to be involved in their activities; however, during that time, the members’ representatives denied the speculations, calling them groundless.
HYBE questioned Min Hee Jin about the rumours, and she denied them during the hearing. They further asked the former ADOR CEO if the CEO of BANA was her ex-boyfriend, and she admitted that he was. However, Min clarified that the two had broken up before the NewJeans project began.
Min also acknowledged that she had agreed to give part of the put option proceeds to Kim Ki Hyun because he produced songs for NewJeans and is “highly talented”. Min Hee Jin explained that since she could not use ADOR’s funds, she paid him from her own shares.
Also Read: Min Hee Jin Explains Controversial Shaman Chats During Lawsuit Hearing Against HYBE
HYBE terminated Hee Jin’s shareholder agreement in July 2024 by claiming that she tried to privatise NewJeans and ADOR, which had caused damage to both their subsidiary and the entire company. In November of the same year, Min then announced her resignation from the company and filed a lawsuit seeking payment for exercising a put option.
Also Read: Is Min Hee Jin Forming New K-pop Group Following NewJeans’ Legal Defeat? Here’s What We Know!
First Published: December 19, 2025 5:16 PM
