Source Music Rebuts Min Hee-jin's Claims on NewJeans Casting: 'We Scouted Members Directly', Presents Evidence

Source Music has officially countered former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin's statements regarding the casting of NewJeans members in court.

The 4th hearing for the 500 million KRW damages lawsuit filed by Source Music against Min Hee-jin took place on the 7th at the Seoul Western District Court, Civil Division 12.

During the hearing, Source Music's legal representative presented evidence, including trainee contract videos, to refute Min Hee-jin's claim that she "personally scouted NewJeans."

Source Music asserted, "Source Music is the entity that scouted the NewJeans members. We also never promised them they would be the first girl group under HYBE."

According to their statement, Minji was scouted by Source Music, while Hye-rin was discovered through street casting in Anyang. Hye-in convinced her parents herself, and Danielle joined Source Music when her 담당직원 (person in charge) transferred. Hanni's recruitment was also not a result of Min Hee-jin's influence, Source Music argued.

Furthermore, Source Music stated, "The NewJeans members did not join believing they were HYBE's first girl group." They revealed that in Danielle's trainee video, she said, "If I don't become a confirmed member, please give me the right to transfer or the option to stay."

Previously, Min Hee-jin claimed in a press conference last year that she personally cast the NewJeans members and that the title of 'HYBE's first girl group' was taken by LE SSERAFIM, a group under Source Music.

In response, Source Music explained that Min Hee-jin's statements led to severe malicious rumors that LE SSERAFIM received "special treatment and harmed other teams," which prompted them to file the lawsuit.

Netizens commented, 'The truth will eventually come out,' 'With Source Music presenting evidence, her lies won't hold up anymore,' and 'I hope only the NewJeans members don't get hurt by this.'