The court date for the verdict in NewJeans’ exclusive contract dispute with ADOR is set for October 30, 2025. Ahead of the ruling, both parties attended a mediation session at 2 PM on August 14, but talks failed. A second mediation attempt is scheduled for September 11. If no agreement is reached, the court’s final ruling in October will determine the fate of the group and their label.
The positions of NewJeans and ADOR remain firmly opposed. NewJeans insists that when their contract was signed, Min Hee-jin had to remain as ADOR’s CEO — a condition not formally included in the contract. Nonetheless, members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein argue that their trust in ADOR is broken without Min at the helm.
Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin was ousted amid allegations of attempting to seize management control and “poaching” NewJeans from the label. In protest, the members have refused to fulfill their exclusive contract obligations, halting activities and demanding contract termination. ADOR maintains that the signed contracts and settlements remain valid and insists that NewJeans must resume activities regardless of Min’s status.
In a petition, the members compared returning to ADOR under HYBE to “going back to a school where they were bullied”, claiming that the breakdown of trust is grounds for termination and alleging ongoing harassment. HYBE reportedly invested ₩21 billion (about $15 million USD) in establishing ADOR for NewJeans’ activities, an amount ADOR says was crucial to the group’s success. Without that infrastructure, they argue, the costs would have been significantly higher. The court has also noted that Min’s personal involvement was not essential to the core of the contract.
NewJeans attempted independent activities but were blocked by a ruling requiring a ₩1 billion penalty per member for each independent engagement. ADOR has continued to settle accounts and even won a damages lawsuit against a cyber-harasser who sexually harassed the members, emphasizing their efforts to support the group despite the legal standoff.
ADOR is building its legal case to claim damages for contract violations, with potential penalties reportedly reaching up to ₩600 billion. Both sides remain resolute, and with ADOR refusing to reinstate Min Hee-jin, and NewJeans unwilling to return without her, the September 11 mediation is likely the last chance to avoid a courtroom verdict that could irreversibly alter their careers.
Sources: blog naver