Following her departure from HYBE earlier this year, prominent producer Min Hee-jin is preparing to debut a new boy group under her recently established label, OOak Co. This marks her first major project since leaving ADOR, the HYBE subsidiary she founded and led.
During a recent public appearance, Min confirmed her focus, stating she has no immediate plans to produce another girl group. “If I do anything soon, it will be a boy group,” she said, suggesting a girl group could follow in the future.
Min’s exit from HYBE was followed by a legal dispute, with Min suing to enforce a put option for her shares, valued at approximately 26 billion won ($17.7 million). Court arguments are scheduled to conclude in December, with a ruling expected next year.
Her new company, OOak Co., officially registered in October, covers artist management, music production, and performance planning. The label recently saw a high volume of audition submissions for its first project, requiring an early closure of applications due to overwhelming interest.
In her comments, Min criticized standard industry practices, advocating for reform. “I want to propose a new management model. I want shorter contract terms,” she said, highlighting perceived flaws in long-term standard contracts. She expressed a desire to build a company “where idols and the company need each other.”
Min also indicated that OOak Co. has attracted investment interest from both within Korea and abroad. Her move comes as industry observers note a renewed focus on boy groups in the global market.
