NewJeans Members to Be Fined for Unauthorized Activities: Court Ruling

The ongoing dispute between K-pop breakout group NewJeans and its agency ADOR, a HYBE subsidiary, escalated this week as the Seoul Central District Court approved a stricter legal measure restricting the group’s independent activities. 

In a ruling issued Friday (May 31), the court granted ADOR’s request for indirect compulsory enforcement, ordering each member of the group — Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein — to pay 1 billion KRW ($734,000) for every unauthorized entertainment activity carried out without the company’s approval. The ruling applies per violation, per person, meaning the members could be collectively fined up to  5 billion KRW (approx. $3.6 million) for a single unapproved group appearance.

“Since NewJeans violated the obligations set by the injunction by performing under a new group name and even releasing new songs before and after the injunction ruling, it is necessary to impose indirect compulsory enforcement to ensure compliance with the order,” the court added. 

The decision follows the group’s March appearance under the name NJZ at ComplexCon Hong Kong, where the five performed a new track titled “Pit Stop.” According to court documents, that performance, along with the release of new content, was deemed a breach of an earlier injunction that barred independent activities. 

“Until a verdict on the first trial on the ongoing lawsuit regarding the validity of NewJeans’ exclusive contracts is delivered, the members are prohibited from engaging in any entertainment-related activities without ADOR’s prior approval,” the court stated. 

The second hearing in that case is scheduled for Thursday (June 5), and a final decision is expected to significantly shape the future of both the group and the structure of idol contracts within K-pop. All eyes are now on the upcoming hearing, which could define not only NewJeans’ future but also reshape expectations for artist-agency relationships in the K-pop industry.