Months of legal battles and a year-long drama have culminated in a major ruling. On Friday (March 21), the Seoul Central District Court ordered the members of NewJeans to halt their independent activities. This follows the first hearing, which took place on March 7.
Since announcing the termination of their contracts with ADOR in November last year, the members—now referring to themselves as NJZ—have pursued independent activities. However, the court’s Civil Division 50 ruled in favor of ADOR’s injunction, prohibiting Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein from engaging in solo promotions, including signing advertising contracts, according to Soompi.
The court case
On November 28, 2024, NewJeans held an emergency press conference, announcing their departure from ADOR, citing a breach of contract and the agency’s failure to address the issue. They stated that their exclusive contracts would be terminated effective November 29, 2024, and that they would begin pursuing independent activities.
ADOR filed injunctions in January and February to block the group’s independent activities, arguing that the members’ contracts remained legally binding.
During the first hearing, ADOR claimed the members unilaterally severed ties with the agency without valid justification. The company also accused them of breaching contractual obligations by adopting the name NJZ and attempting to sign with another agency.
In response, the NewJeans members, who voluntarily attended the hearing—even though it was not required—countered that HYBE’s alleged discrimination and unfair treatment left them with no choice but to terminate their contracts and pursue independent activities.
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