Legal Dispute Between Minhee Jin and NewJeans Officially Resolved After One Year; New Management Firm Begins Scouting for New Idols

The legal battle that shook the K-pop industry between former ADOR CEO Minhee Jin and NewJeans officially concluded after approximately 11 months. On October 30, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that the contract between NewJeans and ADOR was valid, following which the former members of NewJeans expressed their intention to return to ADOR. The dispute originated on November 28, 2024, when NewJeans announced the termination of its exclusive contract with ADOR, citing breaches of trust and failures to address their requests. ADOR subsequently filed a lawsuit against NewJeans and prohibited the group from conducting independent activities. The legal conflict that lasted around 11 months ended with the court’s decision upholding the validity of the contract. As for the current status of NewJeans’ members, Haerin and Hyein have had their return formalized through discussions with ADOR, while Minzy, Hanni, and Danielle have communicated their desire to return, though no official announcement from ADOR has yet been made. This dispute drew international attention by exposing structural issues within the K-pop industry and the power imbalance between companies and artists. Meanwhile, Minhee Jin has sought new paths during this period. After founding a new entertainment agency named OK Records in October, he began preparing to produce idols just about two months later. According to a verification by Hankyung.com on the 7th, OK Records is conducting private audition visits at a well-known dance studio academy. This involves agency representatives going directly to the academy to hold auditions on-site, indicating that the firm has entered the initial preparation stage for idol development. Eligibility for these private auditions is restricted to individuals born between 2006 and 2011, with no restrictions based on nationality or gender. Minhee Jin’s rapid reorganization demonstrates his determination to regain a strong presence in the K-pop market by discovering new generations of idols. This dispute is particularly noteworthy as it occurred during a period of global expansion for the K-pop industry. Unlike past K-pop legal conflicts such as that involving Tiger Jay Bang, this case arose amid the global ambitions of major entertainment companies like HYBE and highlighted the problems associated with K-pop’s “360 deal model.” The 360 deal model in K-pop involves the company holding stakes in all aspects—including music, concerts, management, brand collaborations, and product sales—making it difficult for artists to leave contracts if they desire control over their creative work.