Bang Si Hyuk Prevented NJZ (NewJeans) From Winning MAMAs And Grammy Nominations? – Allegations Spread Amid Min Hee Jin’s Trial

Min Hee Jin is facing controversy after making explosive claims against HYBE and founder Bang Si Hyuk during a court hearing.

The former ADOR CEO appeared at Seoul Central District Court on December 18 for a lawsuit against HYBE related to put options. Witnesses at the trial say Min accused Bang of blocking NewJeans (NJZ) from winning an award at the 2022 MAMA Awards.

According to fan posts on X (formerly Twitter), Min said NJZ showed up expecting to win. But the award was suddenly switched and given to Min herself for the Breakout Producer Award. Min claimed Bang directly intervened to make this happen. She also said she raised objections with then-HYBE CEO Park Ji Won.

The allegations didn’t stop there. Viral posts also claim HYBE blocked NewJeans from submitting for the GRAMMYs. When Min asked HYBE’s PR team about a possible nomination campaign, they reportedly blew her off. Min later found out via a Rolling Stone article that NewJeans could’ve been a “Best New Artist” contender. She was said to be outraged.

Min Hee-jin:
(Do you think NewJeans could get nominated for a Grammy?)
→ asks HYBE’s PR team.

PR team:
If we’re not going to run a campaign, it’s better not to even try. It’s not an easy thing.

Min Hee-jin:
I see… but isn’t that kind of what the PR…
— 1tokki (@juantokki) December 18, 2025

Fans quickly reacted with anger and worry about NJZ’s future under HYBE.

NEWJEANS COULD’VE BEEN A GRAMMY NOMINATED ROOKIE AND THEY HAD TO RUIN IT free my girls tf
— cookie (@cookieggom) December 18, 2025

im so sad about the grammys thing like my heart breaks for newjeans im so mad
— Ი𐑼 (@hyeiccino) December 18, 2025

NewJeans was originally meant to win a MAMA Award in 2022, but it was changed to a “Producer” award instead, which Min Hee-jin received. She said she personally heard the change was requested by Bang Si-hyuk so the group wouldn’t win ?!!!! fukass
— ໑ Soft Pink Nostalgia (@wathicn) December 18, 2025

2022 MAMA award… Grammy submissions… all blocked by Bang Si-hyuk.
Remember the reports that he even tried to stop NewJeans from performing at ComplexCon HK?
Seriously, what else has this guy tried to block for NewJeans that Bunnies and the public doesn’t know?
— 1tokki (@juantokki) December 18, 2025

None of these serious claims have been confirmed by any official court documents. HYBE has remained silent and has not responded.

The situation is still developing. Fans and industry watchers are monitoring closely.