In the ongoing damages lawsuit between Source Music and former ADORE CEO Min Hee-jin, Seoul Western District Court accepted KakaoTalk conversations as admissible evidence.

The court held the third hearing on August 22 for Source Music's 500 million KRW claim against Min. During prior sessions, Source Music submitted a 20-minute presentation, but Min's side argued that the KakaoTalk messages were illegally obtained.

The court rejected this claim, stating the messages do not constitute a violation under the Communications Privacy Act and declared them admissible. Min's team also questioned the public presentation of the materials, citing potential procedural issues, but the court allowed the use of the messages during oral arguments.

Source Music argued that Min had previously reviewed and publicly commented on the messages, and that limiting their use now would be unfair. The court confirmed that oral arguments citing the messages would proceed in principle, though the public presentation would not take place.

The next hearing is scheduled for November 7.