[theqoo] [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] ADOR'S EXECUTIVE A "I DID NOT COMMIT S*XUAL HARRASSMENT"

We managed to get an interview with the deputy CEO A, who has been accused by B of s*xual harassment.

Q&A

Q: You've been called "Min Hee-jin's right-hand."

A: I joined the company on February 1st of this year. How could I possibly be her right-hand? Even when I was at HYBE, I only saw Min Hee-jin a couple of times in meetings. I hardly knew her. The "right-hand" term started being used in articles when there were talks about seizing management control. It's ridiculous how I've been targeted with this narrative. Just yesterday, there were false articles claiming I'd changed my story or that I was going to receive 3 billion won. It's frightening how they're creating this frame, especially since when HYBE was auditing me, they asked, "How much did you really see Min Hee-jin to stake your life on this?" They know very well that I'm not her right-hand.

Q: What did you do while at HYBE, and why did you move to ADOR?

A: I worked in finance at HYBE for four years. However, during my time there, I collapsed and was taken to the hospital in an ambulance due to panic disorder caused by pressure from my superiors. It was such a shock that I decided to quit. Later, I heard ADOR was looking to hire another deputy CEO, so I moved over at the beginning of this year through a recommendation from a contact. I wanted to gain experience in label operations. It's unbelievable and deeply distressing that my former workplace, where I worked for so long, is now attacking me like this.

Q: Let's talk about the s*xual harassment allegations. B has named you as the perpetrator.

A: I did not commit s*xual harassment. B claims that I asked her to attend a drinking session because she was a "young woman," which made her feel s*xually uncomfortable, but I never used such an expression. Moreover, the meeting in question was a business meeting. B was there as the "project manager" for discussing event feedback, long-term planning, and partnerships, which were clear agenda items.

Q: Can you go over what happened that day?

A: The plan was to have dinner and then look around the store. The advertiser had booked a restaurant, but the Chinese restaurant was full, so it was changed to an izakaya. I had informed B in advance that I needed to leave early and gave her the choice to either 1. leave together, 2. finish the meal and leave, or 3. finish the meal, look around the store, and then leave. Suddenly, when B's resignation coincided with this, I was named as a s*xual harassment perpetrator, which left me extremely shocked.

Q: Did HYBE’s HR notify you in writing about the s*xual harassment case?

A: The decision was that it was difficult to classify as workplace s*xual harassment.

Q: What were the findings regarding workplace bullying?

A: It was also deemed difficult to establish.

Q: B claims that you were the only one who gave her a poor evaluation, leading to conflicting accounts about the performance review results.

A: During the six-month probation period, there are two evaluations at three-month intervals. When I joined, B's mid-term evaluation had already been completed, and the result was below the passing mark.

Q: It's said that you offered B another job after she resigned.

A: When Min Hee-jin suggested reconciliation, I wanted to resolve things amicably. So, I proposed finding B a role where she could work away from me, in case she felt uncomfortable. B considered it but ultimately declined.

Q: If you believe you've done nothing wrong, why did you send an apology text recently?

A: Reflecting on my communication methods, I reached out to comfort a former subordinate. I also sent it because it was so distressing to be talked about. I thought B must be suffering too, so I contacted her out of a sense of duty.

Q: There's been a flood of articles saying you "retracted the apology." Did you actually retract it?

A: As I mentioned, that wasn't the original intent of the apology. I never admitted to the allegations, but when I saw reports claiming that I had, I was shocked. The apology was misinterpreted, and since the allegations weren't true, I clarified that it wasn't an admission of guilt. B twisted this the next day by blurring the lines and presenting it as if I'd retracted the apology.

Q: Are you considering taking legal action against B?

A: Overnight, I've been labeled a "workplace bully" and "s*xual harassment perpetrator." I was so stunned that I asked B to take down the Instagram posts and correct the false articles, but she responded by saying, "Why are you trying to silence me? Just take whatever actions you want." I feel I must file a lawsuit to clear my name. False accusations can ruin someone's life; the real victim here is me, not B.

Q: B has reportedly filed 11 additional workplace harassment complaints.

A: Yes. I heard she filed 7 before she resigned and 11 after. I find it extremely excessive. I may have the title of deputy CEO, but I'm not a registered executive. I'm just a regular employee like B. I also have the right to raise issues. This has been incredibly painful for me too.

Q: Can you elaborate on that? What happened?

A: During salary negotiations, I transparently mentioned, "We need to adjust your salary since you're making more than me." But instead, B rudely asked, "Why are you getting paid so little?" It hurt my feelings. And then there's the long messages she supposedly sent to the CEO, which were all just bad-mouthing me. When I first saw it, I was shocked. She went around asking people about me, and then shared all that negativity. I couldn't believe how she'd been polite to me to my face but talked about me like that behind my back.

Q: This incident could be very damaging to your career. Why didn't you speak out earlier?

A: I felt incredibly wronged, but I was scared to get involved in a dispute as a powerless individual. I didn't even think of taking action against B since the initial s*xual harassment claim was dismissed as false, and we reconciled. But then B reappeared and labeled me as a s*xual harassment perpetrator and workplace bully in an instant. When I saw how she could make these false claims so easily, I realized I couldn't stay silent any longer. False accusations are a serious crime that can destroy someone's life. I'm the one who has been harmed, not B.

Q: Do you have anything you’d like to say to B?

A: Rather than something to say, I have questions. If she really thinks she was s*xually harassed or bullied by me, why not file a police report or a formal complaint instead of posting on social media? Why did she file 11 additional complaints when the previous ones were all dismissed? What’s the motive behind spreading false information? And how do all these articles keep coming out so quickly whenever she posts something? It’s all so beyond my understanding.

Q: Any final comments?

A: I wish people would stop talking about my KakaoTalk messages. I’m tired of all the fake news. Most of the stories out there are taking my messages and twisting them like fiction. It’s scary how a big corporation is attacking me in this way through illegal leaks.

https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/396/0000686087

original post: here

1. Who was it that first revealed the Katalks?

2. It seems like the s*xual harassment claim will need to be further examined in court, but even if they’re found not guilty of harassment, the bullying and the fact that the CEO coached them make it unshieldable.

3. The deputy CEO just needed to not submit their phone. That’s Pandora’s box. The whole Katalks leak started from that, and this situation is getting freaking complicated.

4. "Powerless individual"?ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ The way they’re framing this is just like Min Hee-jin. These are the most powerful people.

5. The focus has completely shifted from HYBE and Min Hee-jin to this now. It’s not even a proxy war, it’s just a mess.

6. The "Kongji" has such a big mouth. The CEO's dignity is truly somethingㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ  Fighting to the victim

7. When have you ever seen a guy who’s done s*xual harassment say, "Yes, I did it"? In which parallel universe does that happen?

8. Min Hee-jin cultists, please wake up. I sincerely hope you’re not a woman

9. The reason the outcome turned out like that is because Min Hee-jin was in on it. Just this alone shows how malicious she is.

10. No but the Katalks are already outㅋㅋㅋㅋ why try to deny it now?

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