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V Expresses Distress
21 hours ago•Anna Hwang
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BTS member V expressed significant distress on February 20 after learning that private KakaoTalk messages with former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin were submitted as evidence in her legal battle with HYBE [1][3]. The artist clarified that the communications were informal daily exchanges and stated he had no prior knowledge they would be used in a legal capacity [1][2].
Key Developments
- V posted a news report screenshot regarding the HYBE and Min Hee-jin lawsuit verdict to his Instagram Story to clarify his position [1].
- The artist characterized the leaked messages as "parts of private daily conversations I shared with an acquaintance out of empathy" [1][2].
- V explicitly stated he has "absolutely no intention of taking any side" in the dispute between the two parties [1].
- The messages were reportedly adopted as evidence by the court without the singer's prior consent [1][3].
- HYBE issued a statement confirming the messages were expressions of general empathy rather than legal or factual agreement [1].
Background
The controversy stems from the shareholder agreement lawsuit between HYBE and Min Hee-jin. During proceedings, messenger conversations between V (Kim Tae-hyung) and Min were introduced as evidence. V reportedly learned of the court's adoption of these private logs belatedly, leading to his public response [2][3].
V emphasized the personal nature of the digital records and described the situation as "flustering," expressing embarrassment that his private interactions became a public component of a high-profile corporate trial [1][2][3].
Reactions
In his social media clarification, V stated, "I am very flustered that the conversation was submitted as evidence without my consent" [1].
HYBE officials have moved to distance the BTS member from the legal merits of the case. A HYBE official told News1, "It has been confirmed that (the content of the messages) was merely said in the spirit of empathizing with a private conversation with an acquaintance, and was not an agreement with the other party's specific statements" [1].
Looking Ahead
While the court has reached a verdict in the lawsuit, V’s statement serves to officially clarify his neutrality. The artist reaffirmed that his involvement was limited to personal acquaintance and does not reflect a professional or legal stance in the dispute [1].