The complex legal battle between HYBE and the former CEO of ADOR, Min Hee Jin, has taken an unexpected turn involving one of the world’s most prominent idols.
On February 20, 2026, BTS member V (Kim Taehyung) personally addressed the controversy surrounding his private KakaoTalk messages, which were recently revealed to have been submitted as court evidence.
This development follows a high-stakes legal dispute regarding a put option exercise valued at approximately 25.5 billion won (roughly $17.7 million), in which the Seoul Central District Court recently ruled in favor of Min Hee Jin.
The Origin of the Controversial Evidence
The inclusion of V’s private communications came to light through the first-trial judgment documents of the shareholder agreement lawsuit between HYBE and Min Hee Jin.
During the proceedings, the court sought to determine whether Min Hee Jin’s previous allegations- specifically that the group ILLIT had plagiarized NewJeans- constituted a legitimate expression of opinion or a malicious business interference.
To bolster her defense and demonstrate that her views were shared by others in the industry, KakaoTalk conversations between her and V were entered into the legal record.
According to reports by Sports Kyunghyang, the evidence included a message where V responded to the topic of recurring plagiarism accusations. The report quoted V as saying:
“(About how plagiarism accusations always come up and are never absent) Yeah… I know, right. I also looked at it and thought,
‘Ah, this is similar…’”
Because V and Min Hee Jin
had previously collaborated closely on his solo debut album, Layover, where she served as the creative director, their professional relationship was well-known.
However, the revelation that their private exchange was being used to validate claims against another HYBE artist caused an immediate firestorm online, leading to speculation about V’s stance on the corporate civil war.
V’s Personal Response and Clarification of Intent
Recognizing the potential for his words to be taken out of context or used as a tool for further division, V took the rare step of addressing the matter directly via his personal Instagram Story.
Sharing a screenshot of the news article, he provided a clear and firm explanation of his perspective.
V emphasized that the exchange was never meant for public or legal consumption, stating:
“This was part of a private, everyday conversation I shared out of empathy because she was an acquaintance of mine.”
By framing the message as an act of empathy, V highlighted that his response was a social nicety offered to a colleague who was going through a stressful period, rather than a calculated critique of his label-mates.
He further distanced himself from the ongoing corporate friction by clarifying his position on the dispute itself. V stated:
“I had absolutely no intention of taking either side.”
This clarification was crucial for fans and stakeholders alike, as it reaffirmed that his primary focus remains on his artistry and his role within BTS, rather than the legal maneuvering of executives.
Privacy Concerns and the “Taken Aback” Reaction
Beyond clarifying his intent, V expressed significant discomfort regarding the breach of his personal privacy.
The use of private digital footprints in corporate litigation has become a hot-button issue in the K-pop industry, and V did not shy away from voicing his frustration. He stated:
“However, I feel very taken aback that this conversation was submitted as evidence without my consent.”
This sentiment resonates with many who feel that the personal lives and private thoughts of idols are frequently weaponized in corporate power struggles.
By publicly noting his lack of consent, V underscored a boundary between his professional obligations to his agency and his right to private communication as an individual.
The court ultimately determined that Min Hee Jin’s suspicions regarding the “copying” of NewJeans were a “legitimate expression of opinion,” a ruling that serves as a significant legal victory for her.
However, for V, the situation remains a cautionary tale of how private support can be transformed into public evidence.
His response has been widely praised by fans for its transparency and for his courage in standing up for his privacy while maintaining a neutral, professional demeanor amidst one of the industry’s most litigious eras.
