Min Hee-jin launches secret audition in Seoul as first step towards a new K-pop group

Min Hee-jin, former CEO of ADOR and now the head of the newly launched K-pop agency OK Records, is set to host a closed audition this Sunday at a renowned dance academy in Seoul. The audition, which will take place through invitation only, has already sparked notable interest within the entertainment industry. Following her departure from NewJeans, this move is widely considered her first major step towards establishing a new K-pop band.

According to a report published by the Korea Herald, Min Hee-jin founded OK Records last October and quickly completed its corporate registration. The company’s operations include artist management, music and album production, distribution, concert organisation, event planning, and brand management—marking it as a full-fledged entertainment agency.

Through social media channels of the OK Records-affiliated dance studio, the company has opened an online audition call. Applicants born between 2006 and 2011, regardless of nationality, may participate, and both male and female candidates are eligible. This has led to speculation that the agency may be planning both boy group and girl group projects. The deadline for submitting applications is Thursday at 10 PM.

Min Hee-jin, once affectionately referred to as the “guardian of NewJeans’’ due to her close relationship with the members, publicly supported them on 12 November when some expressed interest in returning to ADOR. However, with ADOR still yet to complete discussions with Minji, Hanni and Danielle, industry analysts believe that Min Hee-jin and NewJeans are now heading in different directions.

Last November, NewJeans terminated their contract with ADOR, and in August Min was dismissed from her CEO position following a dispute with HYBE. After a ten-month legal battle, the Seoul Central District Court upheld the validity of the contract between ADOR and NewJeans in October, clearing the way for the group to resume activities under ADOR.