The highly publicized legal battle between fourth-generation Kpop girl group NewJeans and their agency ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE, is set to reach the courtroom in March. The dispute began in November last year when the five members—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein—announced their decision to terminate their exclusive contracts with ADOR, citing mistreatment and failure to uphold contractual obligations. Since then, both parties have stood their ground, leading to multiple legal proceedings, including injunctions and lawsuits.
According to reports from Korean media, the Seoul Central District Court’s 50th civil division will hold the first hearing on March 7 to discuss ADOR’s injunction against NewJeans regarding their advertising contracts. The agency filed this injunction in January, aiming to prevent the members from independently signing advertisement deals or engaging in promotional activities without ADOR’s consent.
In addition to the injunction hearing, a separate legal battle over the validity of NewJeans’ exclusive contracts with ADOR is also set to begin soon. The 41st Civil Agreement Division of the Seoul District Court has scheduled the first hearing for this case on April 3 at 11:30 AM KST. ADOR claims that the group’s contracts remain legally binding and that their unilateral termination is invalid.
ADOR has strongly opposed NewJeans’ decision to part ways, arguing that their departure without a proper legal process could destabilize the Kpop industry. The agency insists that idols cannot simply cancel contracts and pursue independent careers without adhering to legal obligations. Furthermore, ADOR has expressed frustration over the members’ attempts to change their group name, branding it a serious breach of contract.
In December 2024, after announcing their departure, NewJeans launched a new Instagram account, @jeanzforfree, signalling their intention to continue independently. They also encouraged fans to suggest alternative group names, further fueling ADOR’s claims of contract violation.
NewJeans has enlisted Sejong Law Firm to represent them in their legal fight against ADOR’s claims. Their legal team argues that the company failed to provide adequate support and protection to the members, justifying the contract termination. On November 28, 2024, NewJeans held a press conference to publicly announce their decision, asserting their right to continue their careers without ADOR’s oversight.
As the court proceedings draw closer, Korean netizens have expressed overwhelming support for NewJeans, standing by their decision to leave ADOR. Many fans believe that the group deserves autonomy over their careers and have voiced their concerns over ADOR’s handling of the situation.
What’s Next for NewJeans and ADOR?
The first court hearing regarding the advertisement contract injunction is set for March 7 and the main contract dispute trial begins on April 3. Thus, NewJeans’ future remains uncertain. If the court rules in their favour, they may be able to officially separate from ADOR and continue their careers independently. However, if ADOR succeeds in proving the validity of their contracts, the group may face legal repercussions and restrictions on their activities.
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