SEOUL – A trial to decide the fate of K-pop sensation NewJeans began on March 7 with the surprise appearance of the girl group whose decision to ditch their label marked an unprecedented industry revolt.
The five women, who’ve since renamed themselves NJZ, attended the first hearing in a lawsuit filed by Hybe Co affiliate Ador. Dressed in black pantsuits and skirts, they sat in the front row and listened quietly to arguments between attorneys during a two-hour long hearing. Ador asked the court to uphold the validity of its exclusive contract with the group.
“I think it will be difficult for us to work with the company again because we’ve lost faith and trust. I would say it will be a big pain,” member Haerin said at the end of the hearing.
The outcome of the trial would set a precedent for the K-pop industry over who owns the rights to a group.
NewJeans’ uprising has transfixed South Korea and weighed on Hybe’s stock, while captivating the entertainment industry and fans. It’s a bold and unusual move against a K-pop agency that invests tens of millions of dollars to produce popular music, while controlling everything from production to concerts and luxury brand endorsements.
The battle between the group and the K-pop giant began in 2024. Ms Min Hee-jin, the group’s producer and former Ador chief executive officer, argued the band was discriminated against by Hybe. After months of disputes and press campaigns by both sides, she left the company and the group unilaterally terminated their contract.
Since then, NJZ has pushed ahead with independent activities with plans to unveil new music in March, attend a festival in Hong Kong, and clinched advertisement deals. Hybe, on the other hand, aims to suspend the group’s activities before the court’s decision over the validity of their contract.
Hybe, best known for catapulting the careers of global sensation BTS, said in a March 6 statement it will address any misunderstandings and “seek a ruling confirming our position as the management agency for NewJeans”. Bloomberg
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