Min Hee-jin is set to deliver a special lecture in Gwangju commemorating the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratization Movement.
According to an announcement from the 5·18 Research Institute at Chonnam National University, the lecture will take place on May 12 at the university’s Yongji Hall Convention Center.
The event will be held under the theme “Imagining K-Culture And K-Pop In Gwangju, At Chonnam National University!” and aims to explore the global cultural influence of Korean entertainment while connecting it to the democratic values symbolized by the May 18 movement.
Organizers explained that the lecture will examine how Korean pop culture and K-pop reflect broader themes of democracy, human rights and peace. Discussions are also expected to focus on whether Gwangju can evolve beyond its historical identity into a new center of cultural imagination and creativity.
Min Byung Ro, director of the 5·18 Research Institute, stated that the event was organized to reinterpret Gwangju’s democratic spirit through modern K-culture while creating stronger cultural connections with younger generations.
Before founding ADOR under HYBE, Min Hee Jin was widely recognized as one of the most influential creative directors in K-pop during her time at SM Entertainment. She participated in developing concepts and visual identities for groups including SHINee, f(x), EXO and Red Velvet.
Min later gained even greater international attention after launching NewJeans through ADOR, helping redefine trends within the fourth generation of K-pop through minimalist music production, nostalgic branding and unconventional marketing strategies.
Following her highly publicized dispute with HYBE earlier this year, Min Hee Jin recently established her new entertainment company, OK Records, signaling the beginning of her independent activities in the industry.
Her upcoming lecture in Gwangju is already attracting significant public attention, particularly because it marks one of her notable official public appearances following months of intense media coverage surrounding her conflict with HYBE and ADOR.
Sources: Daum | 헤럴드경제