The BTS fandom, known as ARMY, has voiced its strong opposition to the return of former Adore CEO Min Hee-jin.
Following Jungkook's supportive message for NewJeans, some fans expressed their disapproval through online platforms. A coalition of BTS fans described themselves as part of the "BTS ARMY community" and released a statement opposing Min's return to management at Adore, a subsidiary of HYBE. They are aware of actions taken by Min during BTS's military service and her alleged attempts to manipulate media narratives against the group and its fans.
In April, HYBE reported Min to the police for alleged embezzlement and business misconduct, which she publicly denied. After a court ruling favored Min regarding her voting rights at HYBE, she was unable to participate in a key extraordinary general meeting, although some resolutions regarding other directors were passed. Shortly after, Min expressed her willingness to negotiate with HYBE in her second press conference and oversaw NewJeans's debut in Japan.
However, on August 27, Adore announced her dismissal from the CEO position while retaining her role on the board. Min's representatives criticized this decision as unlawful, citing contradictions in shareholder agreements. Just days later, NewJeans held an urgent live stream expressing their still strong trust in Min and asked for her reinstatement.
The drama escalated when Jungkook posted a supportive message on social media, which fans interpreted as indirect support for NewJeans. Big Hit Music clarified that this post was intended to reject the use of young artists as shields in disputes. As tensions remain high, the situation continues to unfold in the K-pop community.