Dubai Business & Entertainment Desk Min Hee Jin Offers to Relinquish $18 Million if HYBE Drops All Lawsuits

​ Dubai — After two turbulent years of public statements, court filings, and corporate maneuvering, the dispute between Min Hee-jin and HYBE may be approaching a pivotal turning point.

On February 25, during a press conference in Seoul, Min announced she is willing to forgo approximately 25.6 billion won — nearly $18 million — in court-awarded compensation. Her condition is direct and uncompromising: HYBE must withdraw all ongoing lawsuits tied to the conflict.

A Financial Concession with Strategic Weight

The 25.6 billion won payment was previously ordered in connection with the corporate battle that has unfolded since early 2024. Rather than pursue the money, Min stated she would relinquish the full amount if HYBE agrees to end all related legal actions.

These cases reportedly involve not only corporate entities but also members of NewJeans, employees of ADOR, external partners, and even fan communities.

Her reasoning was explicit. According to Min, “The reason is the NewJeans members.” She emphasized that the decision is driven by a desire to protect the artists from prolonged legal and emotional strain.

In a moment of reflection, she acknowledged the magnitude of the sum, noting that it represents an amount most individuals would never earn in a lifetime. She also pointed out its personal significance, especially as she prepares to begin a new chapter independently.

Industry Shockwaves

The offer introduces a rare corporate scenario: a high-value financial concession tied directly to reputational and relational repair rather than profit maximization. In global entertainment markets — from Seoul to Dubai to Los Angeles — such moves are closely watched as indicators of strategic recalibration.

The conflict has reshaped perceptions around creative control, artist autonomy, and executive power within major K-pop structures. Observers note that if accepted, the proposal could reset industry narratives and potentially de-escalate one of the most publicized disputes in recent K-pop history.

What Comes Next

HYBE has not yet publicly confirmed whether it will accept the condition. Legal analysts suggest that dropping all related lawsuits would require coordinated withdrawals across multiple cases, making the decision structurally complex, not merely symbolic.

Still, the proposal signals a shift in tone — from confrontation to conditional reconciliation.

In high-stakes corporate disputes, money is often the loudest voice. Here, it is being offered as silence — if peace follows.

The coming weeks will determine whether this becomes a financial footnote or the beginning of an industry reset.