A TRIAL to decide the fate of K-pop sensation NewJeans began yesterday with the surprise appearance of the girl group whose decision to ditch their label marked an unprecedented industry revolt.
The five women, who have 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 lawyers during a two-hour 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 millions of dollars to produce popular music, while controlling everything. — Bloomberg