K-pop girl group NewJeans has officially declared the termination of its contract with Ador, their managing agency, and its parent company, HYBE Labels.
In a Friday statement, the group reaffirmed that their exclusive contracts were no longer valid, citing breaches of trust and unmet obligations by the agency.
The announcement follows a surprise press conference on Nov. 28, where the five members—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—criticized the agency’s management. They accused Ador of failing to protect the group and HYBE of spreading damaging rumors.
“There is no reason to continue working with Ador and HYBE,” the statement read. “The contract allows termination if obligations are not met, and Ador has failed us.”
Ador responded by filing a lawsuit with the Seoul Central District Court to confirm the validity of the contract.
Industry Criticism
The Korea Entertainment Producer’s Association (KEPA) and the Korea Management Federation (KMF) expressed concern over the situation, calling NewJeans’ actions “irresponsible.”
KEPA warned that unilaterally ending contracts could harm the K-pop industry’s stability, while KMF questioned how trust could be maintained in such agreements.
“Contracts are based on shared trust,” KEPA said in a statement. “Terminating them without clear justification sets a dangerous precedent.”
Legal Opinions Split
Legal experts are divided on the issue. Attorney Kim Kyoung-nam argued that the court might not side with NewJeans, as termination is typically valid only in cases of severe breach. Meanwhile, attorney Lee Hyun-gon supported the group’s move, suggesting it challenges outdated industry norms.
NewJeans stated they aim to continue making music independently and engaging with fans. “We dream of healthy musical activities with our supporters,” they concluded.
The outcome of the legal battle between NewJeans and Ador could significantly impact future artist-agency relationships in K-pop.