Yeon Je-hyeop is outraged by Min Hee-jin's 'put option' ruling, saying, "Newjin Stempling Exonerated NewJeans." [Professional]

*This content was translated by AI.

The Korea Entertainment Producers Association (hereinafter referred to as the Federation) issued a statement when the court ruled in favor of Min Hee-jin in a ruling on the validity and termination of the contract between Hive and former CEO Min Hee-jin.

The Federation of Korean Industries said on the 13th, "We deeply regret the ruling of the first trial on the 12th," adding, "We see this as not just a legal battle between certain parties, but as confirming the minimum order and principles that the Korean entertainment production site has observed for decades."

He continued, "We are concerned that this ruling will foster distrust rather than quelling the unrest in the field. What is more important than whether or not the betrayal is carried out is the direction itself that has abandoned trust," he said. "The moment that trust is broken, the production site collapses. The ruling is sending a dangerous message that even if the tempering was planned, if it was not put into practice or was discovered before execution, it could be excused," he pointed out.

He added, "We note that this ruling seriously undermines the 'stability of investment contracts'. Investment in the production site is a declaration of long-term trust in systems and human resources beyond just financing. It is obvious that the logic of maintaining a contractual relationship even though the trust relationship has clearly broken down makes investors force conservative judgments, which will eventually lead to a contraction in investment in the entire enterprise industry."

The Federation of Korean Industries said, "This ruling can never be seen as a decision for the producer. Temping destroys the site by itself. Tempering is not just a contract dispute, it is an act of trying to usurp common results and a destructive act of rooting out the trust of the industry," he said.

Finally, the Federation of Korean Industries said, "I strongly urge the judiciary to deeply appreciate the specificity of the industry and the reality of the production site in future procedures such as appeals." In an ongoing relationship based on trust, clear legal boundaries should be presented to correct that trust when it collapses," he said.

The Korea Entertainment Producers Association (hereinafter referred to as the Federation of Korean Entertainment Producers) deeply regrets the decision of the first trial on February 12, 2026, regarding the validity and termination of the inter-shareholder contract between Hive and former CEO Min Hee-jin.

The Federation of Korean Entertainment Associations sees this issue as not just a legal battle between certain parties, but as confirming the minimum order and principles that the Korean entertainment production scene has observed for decades.

Whenever controversy over the termination of exclusive contracts and allegations of tempering arose, the Federation of Korean Industries has repeatedly warned, "If contracts and trust collapse, the foundation of the industry will falter."

The association is concerned that the ruling will foster distrust rather than quell unrest on the ground. More important than the 'do or not' of betrayal is the 'direction' itself, which has betrayed trust.

Production is a product of a process, not an outcome. It takes years, astronomical capital, and dedicated labor of numerous staff to bring a team of artists to the public. The most powerful safety in this complex process is 'trust' between partners. The moment that trust is broken, the production site collapses. Teams are split, crews are exhausted, and artists and fandom are caught up in a whirlwind of conflict.

The ruling sends a dangerous message, saying that even if the tempering was plotted, it could be excused if it was not put into action or if it was discovered before execution.

In particular, the Federation of Korean Industries notes that the ruling seriously undermines the "stability of investment contracts." On the production floor, investment goes beyond mere financing and is a declaration of long-term trust in systems and human resources. It is obvious that the logic of maintaining a contractual relationship, even though the trust relationship is clearly broken, forces investors to make conservative judgments, which will eventually lead to a contraction in investment across the enterprise industry.

When your investment dries up, the first thing you get hit by is creative talent and new projects. There will be fewer jobs in the field, let alone small and medium-sized production companies, and the diversity and competitiveness that K-pop has built up in the global market will inevitably decline. In that sense, this ruling can never be seen as a decision for the producer.

Tempering destroys the site by itself. Tempering is not just a contract dispute, it is an act of exploiting common outcomes and a destructive act of rooting out the trust of the industry.

The Federation of Korean Industries strongly urges the judiciary to provide a deep insight into the specificity of the industry and the reality of the production site in future procedures such as appeals.

In an ongoing relationship built on trust, clear legal boundaries must be provided to correct that trust when it collapses.

Only then can producers trust people again, inject capital, and nurture the next generation of artists.

The Korea Federation of Trade Unions will work hard to establish a sound contract order and protect the production system so that the K-pop ecosystem can continue as a robust 'system' without being shaken by the deviations of certain individuals.

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*This content was translated by AI.