Min Hee-jin is a South Korean art director and graphic designer. In 2021, she became the Chief Brand Officer of Hybe Corporation, a South Korean multinational entertainment company that manages the popular K-Pop band BTS. She is also the CEO of Hybe’s sublabel, ADOR. She created the K-pop group “NewJeans” under ADOR, which released the music video for their debut song “Attention” on 22 July 2022.
Wiki/Biography
Min Hee-jin was born on Monday, 12 February 1979 (age 43 years; as of 2022) in South Korea. She went to Seoul Women’s University from where she graduated in visual design.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 4″
Weight (approx.): 50 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
There is not much information about her family.
Career
SM Entertainment
In 2002, Hee-jin joined SM Entertainment, a top-tier South Korean entertainment company, as a graphic designer through open hiring. She was the youngest graphic designer in the company. Later, she became the creative director and handled the visual branding of popular K-Pop groups including Girls’ Generation, Shinee, f(x), Exo, and Red Velvet. She became famous for her creative work on f(x)’s album “Pink Tape” released in 2013; the art film of the album was unique because of its concept and direction. In 2017, she joined the board of directors and became the Executive Director of the company. She held the position for two years and left the company in 2019 due to work pressure.
Min Hee-jin working as a graphic designer at SM Entertainment
Hybe Corporation
In July 2019, she was appointed for the position of Chief Brand Officer at Hybe Corporation. One year later, she was also given the position of Executive Director at the company. In 2021, Hybe founded its first independent label titled ADOR (All Doors One Room). Hee-jin became the creator of the first group under the label called “NewJeans,” which is set to debut on 1 August 2022 with their self-titled album. In a press conference, while talking about her future goals as the CEO of ADOR, Hee-jin said,
As the CEO of ADOR, I have finished my preparation for another revolution in the music market and the launch of a new label. Our label won’t hesitate to accept new challenges and strive to create artist IP and content containing ADOR’s unique philosophy.”
Awards
- Won Mnet Asian Music Award for Best Visual & Art Director in 2016
Facts/Trivia
- When Hee-jin joined SM Entertainment, she was not interested in the Idol group’s music; instead, she wanted to work on the album covers.
- After working as the Creative Director at SM Entertainment company, Hee-jin went through lots of mental and work pressure. She had no time left for herself and felt burnt out. Talking about her work life at SM and how she decided to leave the company, she said,
When I became Creative Director I was already so (mentally) fatigued. I did so much work. I used to film four to five music videos a month and released four to five albums. I used to joke with my team at that time that I probably could come in the first place if I were to be on a survival show. I actually never went on a proper vacation. I sent my team members on vacation but it was so difficult for me to go. I was severely burnt out and was thinking I should quit. But I felt that the company won’t simply let me go. So when I first told the chief producer, we cried together. Back then I even thought, ‘Why is it so painful to live?’ I had severe self-torment and was really hard on myself. Of course, there were joyful moments but during those moments I would think, ‘Is this what happiness is?’ So I continued the path on leaving the company.”
- In 2019, after leaving SM Entertainment she received a call from Hybe Corporation and was appointed for the position of Chief Branding Officer (CBO). In an interview, she said,
I still felt there was so much I wanted to do and accomplish, but this was such a big and new challenge I took on. Then I got a call from another place a few days later and that was HYBE.”
