NewJeans Pushes Ahead with Independent Activities Against ADOR; Dispute Intensifies with Injunction Request

The contract dispute between K-pop group NewJeans and their agency ADOR is escalating. ADOR submitted an injunction request to the Seoul Central District Court, seeking to prohibit the group’s members from entering independent advertising contracts. Following a lawsuit filed on December 3, 2024, to verify the validity of their exclusive contract, ADOR has now intensified its legal actions through this injunction request. ADOR stated that the group’s members attempted to pursue independent advertising partnerships without the company’s approval, explaining that this move was made to prevent confusion and harm to third parties such as advertisers. The roots of this dispute date back to November last year. On November 28, NewJeans held an emergency press conference, claiming they had suffered exclusion, harassment, and manipulation by ADOR and demanding the annulment of their exclusive contract. In particular, the five members—Minzy, Hanni, Danielle, Hyein, and Haerin—strongly protested HYBE, ADOR’s parent company, for forcibly dismissing Minhee Jin, the former ADOR representative who served as the group’s mentor. ADOR denies all such allegations. The company maintains that its exclusive contract with NewJeans remains valid until 2027 and has already finalized activity plans for the next 12 months, including the release of new albums and fan meetings. ADOR emphasized the potential impact of this dispute on the entire K-pop industry, expressing concern that if a precedent is set allowing unilateral termination of exclusive contracts and independent activities without legal procedures, it could deter investment in the entertainment industry and undermine the foundation of K-pop. Meanwhile, the NewJeans members have opened a new Instagram account under the name “jeanzforfree” and regularly conduct live streaming broadcasts to assert their independence from ADOR. They declared that they will fight to protect the name and careers associated with NewJeans, adding that even if they lose the battle, the core identity of the five members as NewJeans will never change. Experts predict that the subsequent trial could take 2 to 3 years, during which time NewJeans will face difficulties in releasing new songs or conducting promotional activities. The legal status of the members and ownership of the name “NewJeans” are expected to be determined based on the court’s ruling.