NewJeans have lost their legal battle with their record label ADOR amid the company’s falling out with its former CEO.
The K-Pop quintet, who made their debut in 2022 and gained popularity for hits like “Hype Boy,” “Super Shy,” and “OMG,” had been in conflict with their record label ADOR, a subsidiary of entertainment company HYBE, since November 2024.
At the time, NewJeans declared at an emergency press conference that they would leave the company, citing unresolved issues, workplace harassment, and calling for former CEO Min Hee Jin's reinstatement after her dismissal in August 2024.
On Thursday (Oct. 30), the Seoul Central District Court's 41st Civil Division ruled that ADOR's exclusive contracts with the K-Pop quintet—which consists of members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein, are valid and must be upheld, according to Soompi.
In its decision, the court stated, "It is difficult to conclude that ADOR breached the exclusive contract solely by dismissing former CEO Min Hee Jin," explaining that "even if Min Hee Jin was removed from the CEO position, she could have performed producer duties as a director on the board, and it was not necessary for her to remain CEO to do so."
The judges added, "It is hard to see whether Min Hee Jin's dismissal is a core issue that determines the continued validity of the exclusive contract, and there is no clause in the contract that provides a basis for this," emphasizing that even if the members "had great trust in former CEO Min Hee Jin, that alone does not constitute grounds to terminate the exclusive contract."
The ruling further emphasized that ADOR “continued efforts to carry on management work with the defendants.” Given the group's ongoing activities such as album preparations and tour planning, “it is difficult to conclude that the plaintiff neglected its management obligations.”
In addition, the court rejected NewJeans' claim of workplace harassment, ruling that based on the submitted evidence, it was “difficult to conclude” that member Hanni heard disparaging comments from the manager of ILLIT, a K-Pop quintet signed to Belift, another HYBE subsidiary.
Following the verdict, NewJeans' legal representative, Shin & Kim LLC, announced the members' intent to appeal.
"The members respect the court's decision, but given that their relationship of trust with ADOR has completely collapsed, they believe it is impossible to return to ADOR and continue their activities in the entertainment industry in a normal manner.
“Accordingly, the members will immediately appeal the first-instance ruling... and they hope the appellate court will once again comprehensively review the facts to date and the legal principles governing termination of the exclusive contracts and render a wise judgment."
Soompi also reported that ADOR responded with its own statement expressing gratitude for the ruling: "The court determined that our company did not violate any obligations as a management agency and that any attempt to break away from the exclusive contracts by citing a breakdown in trust should not be permitted."
ADOR added that it pledged to "reaffirm our role and responsibilities as a management agency," adding, "We have completed preparations for future activities including the release of a full-length album and are ready to proceed."
Earlier this year, the group briefly rebranded as "NJZ" and began activities independent of ADOR, including a performance at ComplexCon Hong Kong.
At the end of the performance, the members announced they would pause all promotions after the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of an injunction from ADOR forbidding the members from carrying out any independent activities and signing advertisement contracts as “NJZ.” The group subsequently removed all “NJZ” branding from their social media accounts.
