On July 24, the third hearing in the civil case between ADOR and the members of NewJeans was held at the Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Agreement Division 41, presided over by Judge Jung Hoe Il. The case centers on ADOR’s request for the court to confirm the validity of its exclusive contracts with the members.
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In response to the ongoing legal battle, NewJeans’ fan team Bunnies issued a comprehensive statement addressing the background and key issues of the dispute. The group expressed deep concern about the origins of the case and the treatment of the members throughout the process.
According to the statement, the conflict began with HYBE’s internal audit of ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin in April 2024. At the time, HYBE accused Min of attempting to seize management control. The statement highlights that the claim of “trying to steal NewJeans,” often framed as tampering, was not included in the official reasons for the audit or Min’s dismissal.
The fan team emphasized that the audit’s key allegations were later proven unsubstantiated. On July 14, investigators officially concluded that no charges would be filed against Min Hee Jin.
The statement reads, “The audit and its report were conducted with a predetermined outcome. This was not a neutral process. The claim that Min attempted a management takeover was a fictional narrative crafted in retaliation by HYBE. This framing is what ultimately led to the current legal dispute.”
One of the most significant points cited by the fan team was the content of Exhibit 224 in the no-charge decision. The document explicitly stated that the findings in the audit report did not reflect the reality uncovered by the investigation. Law enforcement determined that Min’s actions did not constitute a takeover attempt, nor were they intended to cause harm to ADOR.
The fan team also pointed to the damaging effect the audit had on NewJeans’ career. The audit news broke just five days before the group’s scheduled comeback, triggering over 1,700 news reports. The statement explains that this timing overshadowed the group’s return and subjected them to negative media labels.
“Comeback periods are highly sensitive for idol groups. The premature release of audit-related news completely buried NewJeans’ efforts and exposed them to unwarranted criticism using provocative language,” the statement said.
The group further criticized the lack of planning and communication by ADOR’s executives following Min’s dismissal. The fan team argued that no measures were taken to protect or manage the members after her departure, resulting in a leadership vacuum.
“Even ADOR executives admitted they had no plan after removing Min. No explanation was given to the members, and no consultations were held about their future activities,” the statement claimed.
Concerns were also raised about the management team’s basic awareness of the group’s performances. Court documents cited an incident where the company did not know what songs the members had performed. The fan team questioned whether such leadership could be trusted with the group’s future.
In addition, the statement addressed the recent controversy involving member Hanni. It clarified that the so-called “greeting issue” was not a matter of etiquette but a symptom of systematic exclusion within the company. The deletion of video evidence that could have supported Hanni’s account was highlighted as a serious breach.
“We are not upset over a missed greeting. What matters is that evidence was erased and Hanni was portrayed as dishonest. This process of discrediting her is what we take issue with,” the fan team explained.
The statement concluded by urging the public and media not to overvalue the provisional injunction that was previously granted. It noted that such injunctions are made quickly and without a thorough examination of evidence, unlike the detailed and lengthy investigation that led to the recent no-charge decision.
Finally, the fan team warned against misinterpreting the procedural legitimacy of HYBE’s audit as proof of its claims. They stressed that just because the audit followed formal steps does not mean its findings were correct.
Fans continue to call for transparency, accountability, and proper support for the NewJeans members, as the legal case progresses and public scrutiny remains intense.
