NewJeans Ends Yearlong Legal Battle…Withdrawal of Appeal Confirms Return to ADOR

The group NewJeans has fully resolved its more than one-year legal dispute over its exclusive contract with agency ADOR. Since the members failed to submit any legal objections by the appeal deadline of November 13, ADOR’s original judgment from the first trial became final. On November 28 of last year, NewJeans held an emergency press conference and announced their intention to terminate the exclusive contract with ADOR and pursue independent activities starting at midnight on November 29. In response, ADOR filed a lawsuit in court in December last year seeking to confirm the validity of the exclusive contract, and its request for an interim injunction to prevent the members from working independently was also granted. On October 30, the court ruled in favor of ADOR, stating in its first-instance decision that the exclusive contract remained valid. After this judgment, the members’ positions changed rapidly. On November 12, Haerin and Hyein were the first to announce their return to ADOR, and that same night, Minzy, Hanni, and Danielle also conveyed their intention to return through their legal firms. ADOR stated at the time that it was “coordinating individual meeting schedules with the members” and said it would “do its best to ensure smooth discussions.” Music industry experts have described this incident as the biggest event in the music industry this year. In a survey conducted by News1, 18 out of 34 music agency officials chose NewJeans’ exclusive contract dispute and their return to ADOR as the top issue. Experts noted that it was “an incident filled with much discussion and controversy, from leaving ADOR to returning,” adding that it provided an opportunity to examine public and industry perspectives on the contractual relationship between agencies and artists from multiple angles. ADOR has planned to actively support NewJeans’ resumption of activities. It is reported that during the legal proceedings, the agency prepared plans for entertainment activities such as the release of a full-length album featuring collaborations with top-tier producers and the holding of fan meetings. In the music industry, considering the time needed for recording, choreography, and promotion, it is highly likely that NewJeans will make a Comeback in the first half of 2026. However, it is expected that bridging the gap between ADOR and the members, caused by the prolonged conflict, will be the key factor determining when they can resume activities.