K-pop girl group NewJeans have published their response to ADOR‘s recent lawsuit, reiterating their alleged right to terminate their contracts with the label.
READ MORE: HYBE-ADOR feud: a comprehensive timeline of events
The Korean music label – a subsidiary of HYBE – announced on December 4 that it had filed a lawsuit with the Seoul Central District Court to confirm the validity of NewJeans’ contracts in order to “ensure its continued legal enforcement”.
It was filed as a response to the emergency press conference held by the five-piece on November 28, where they first announced the termination of their exclusive contracts with the label.
During the conference, NewJeans cited ADOR’s contract breaches as the reason for their termination, which they claim were left unresolved even after two weeks from their issuance of a legal notice requesting rectification.
On December 6, the group – comprising Minji, Hanni, Haerin, Danielle and Hyein – shared a response to the company’s lawsuit. “We feel deeply apologetic to release this statement amidst such a tumultuous situation,” it read, per translations by Soompi.
They pointed out that “ADOR failed to properly assert that there were no breaches of the exclusive contracts” in their lawsuit announcement.
NewJeans further claim that they have “already returned profits exceeding the investment to ADOR and HYBE”. They wrote that, despite doing so, “HYBE has attempted various forms of interference, including defamation and reverse viral marketing, to devalue us”, adding that the label “allowed this to happen under new management”.
“Our trust in ADOR and HYBE, who have repeatedly violated contract terms and failed to fulfill their duty to protect their artists, has already collapsed,” the statement continued.
“According to the terms of our exclusive contracts, there is no longer any reason for us to continue working with ADOR and HYBE.” NewJeans went on to allege that their contracts with ADOR “clearly states” that they have the right to terminate the contract if ADOR were to fail in fulfilling its contractual obligations.
“Forcing us to work for another five years despite this breakdown in trust and contract violations is not only unreasonable but also inhumane,” the band wrote. NewJeans’ seven-year contracts with ADOR were initially scheduled to expire sometime in 2029.
They also claim that the company had been “secretly following us, defaming us, and spreading false information through media outlets”, on top of “severely harass[ing]” and investigating staff who assisted NewJeans with their activities after their ADOR departure.
“It is difficult for us to comprehend such unethical and inhumane actions by the company, and it pains us to see that the harm caused by this company extends beyond us,” NewJeans wrote.
“Although we anticipate a challenging road ahead, we dream of a life where we can engage in healthy musical activities with our fans who love us. We are determined to make that dream a reality,” the statement concluded, before reiterating ADOR’s alleged failure to rectify their contract breaches.
“However, no matter how much they try to sow discord, the five of us remain united, and no one can tear us apart.”
“We hope that through the legal process, the reasons for our decision to terminate our exclusive contracts and ADOR’s contract violations will be fully revealed.”