ADOR vs Danielle: Second Hearing in Damages Suit – Arguments Over Minhee-jin’s Kakaotalk Evidence

The second hearing in the damages suit filed by ADOR against Danielle was held on the 11th at Civil Division 31 of the Seoul Central District Court. Both parties continued to present conflicting arguments regarding the reasons behind the expulsion of NewJeans members and the role of former CEO Min Hee-jin.

ADOR claimed that former CEO Min Hee-jin promised financial compensation to the parents of NewJeans members in October 2024. Specifically, ADOR stated that Min Hee-jin said she would “ensure no financial losses such as damages or penalty fees” and that “compensation would be prepared if they left HYBE.” ADOR also described Danielle’s mother as “the person who played the biggest role among the parents of NewJeans members during Min Hee-jin’s illegal actions,” noting that she “played a significant role” between Min Hee-jin and the members, as well as between Min Hee-jin and the members’ parents. Based on this, ADOR demanded damages from Danielle’s mother as an accomplice to Min Hee-jin as well.

Danielle’s side strongly rejected these claims. They maintained that they were fully aware of the reasons for terminating their contract with ADOR and that any discussion about collaboration was merely an exploration of possibilities, nothing significant. They emphasized the exorbitant amount of 10 billion won claimed as damages for breach of contract and questioned how Danielle could continue her entertainment career under such circumstances. Danielle’s side argued that the breakdown in trust caused by the lawsuit was actually harming Danielle the most.

During the hearing, the court listened to both parties’ arguments regarding whether to admit Min Hee-jin’s Kakaotalk messages as evidence. The Telegram conversations from the day NewJeans members lost their preliminary injunction lawsuit against ADOR also became a subject of debate.