The South Korean courts appear increasingly frustrated with NewJeans—also known as NJZ—for repeatedly violating legal rulings. The group, consisting of Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein, have continued to defy court orders despite ongoing legal proceedings.
Since 2024, the group has been embroiled in a protracted legal battle with their agency, ADOR. On March 21, the court sided with ADOR, granting the agency’s request to prohibit NewJeans from independently signing promotional or advertising contracts. When NJZ filed an objection, it was dismissed on April 21, reaffirming the original injunction.
Despite the ruling in ADOR’s favour, the members appear to have continued violating the court’s directive—a move that has not been well received by the judiciary. On May 30, the Seoul Central District Court’s 52nd Civil Division once again ruled in favour of ADOR, partially granting another injunction that prohibits the members from engaging in any entertainment activities independently or through third parties—unless they receive prior approval from the agency.
What did the court say?
According to the court, “The debtor, NJZ, must not engage in entertainment activities independently or through a third party without ADOR’s prior approval or consent until the first trial verdict on the contract’s validity is announced.”
To reinforce the injunction, the court introduced a penalty clause that could prove extremely costly. If the members violate the order, NewJeans will have to pay ₩1 billion KRW (approximately $730,000 USD) per violation to ADOR, in addition to covering legal expenses related to the application. This clause applies collectively, meaning the fine could multiply rapidly if violations are repeated or involve multiple members.
The ruling aims to preserve the existing contractual relationship between NewJeans and ADOR while the broader lawsuit over the exclusive contract’s validity proceeds. The court emphasized maintaining the “status quo” until a first-instance verdict is reached, especially as tensions between the two parties continue to escalate.
Why is NewJeans defying the court orders?
Despite these decisions, NewJeans maintains that the contract should be terminated, citing a breakdown in trust with the agency. ADOR, on the other hand, is pursuing a separate legal case to confirm the ongoing validity of the exclusive contract.
The second oral hearing in the main lawsuit between ADOR and NewJeans is scheduled for June 5, and the outcome could significantly impact the group’s future and their ability to promote freely.
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