Who is Min Hee-jin, the creative director of NewJeans?

 What is New Jeans producer Min Hee-jin's status in the K-pop scene?

- Director Min Hee-jin, who made a fresh impact on the K-pop scene by debuting the group NewJeans, is a well-known figure among K-pop enthusiasts. In the realm of K-pop, notable figures like Bang Si-hyuk, Lee Soo-man, Yang Hyun-suk, and Park Jin-young are primarily recognized for establishing their own entertainment companies. However, unlike these individuals, Min Hee-jin did not gain fame by founding a company. Instead, she began her career at SM Entertainment, where she took the lead in creating experimental concepts for acts like Girls' Generation, SHINee, f(x), EXO, Red Velvet, and NCT. Initially, she didn't join as a director but rather as an ordinary employee. Her journey as a visual director began unexpectedly when she crafted presentation materials to define what it meant to be a "girl" for Girls' Generation after the group's name was coined, marking the beginning of her career in that role.

Why did Min Hee-jin leave SM Entertainment?

- Min Hee-jin didn't depart from SM Entertainment due to losing her touch or facing friction with the company. She was fully dedicated to her work, often shooting up to five music videos per month. Additionally, she even received an offer for a managerial position from Lee Soo-man, the founder of SM Entertainment.

 Even so, Min Hee-jin decided to depart from SM Entertainment. Min Hee-jin wanted to develop and debut idols according to her own vision and process. However, since SM had its own established system, rather than conflicting with it, she chose to seek new challenges at HYBE.

What were the outcomes of Min Hee-jin's challenge?

- Since Min Hee-jin joined HYBE and directed NewJeans, the group has received recognition not only for their popularity but also for their musicality. Their debut album was nominated for Album of the Year and Musician of the Year at the Korean Popular Music Awards. Within just three months of their debut, they received over 100 advertising offers. They have become idols loved by both the public, critics, and corporations alike.

Currently, there is heated debate within the industry due to the conflict between Min Hee-jin and HYBE. Both Min Hee-jin and HYBE have played significant roles in shaping the premium value of K-pop idols. As someone who appreciates K-pop, I hope for a peaceful resolution.