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NewJeans has suffered a legal setback in its ongoing battle against its label, ADOR. A Seoul court on Thursday (Oct. 30) dismissed the group’s lawsuit seeking to terminate their exclusive contract, marking a decisive win for ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE. The five members including Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein had filed the lawsuit last November, aiming to operate independently as “NJZ.” Their decision came after ADOR’s former CEO and their creative mentor, Min Hee-jin, was controversially dismissed. The group argued that ADOR breached their trust and undermined the conditions under which they signed their 2022 contract. Court Sides With ADOR However, the Seoul Central District Court disagreed. Presiding Judge Jeong Hoe-il ruled that the group’s emotional trust in Min Hee-jin was not legally binding in the contract. “Nowhere in the exclusive contract is it stated that ADOR must entrust the management duties for NewJeans to Min Hee-jin,” the judge stated, as reported by Chosun Daily. “Merely the fact that NewJeans personally places high trust in Min Hee-jin does not make guaranteeing her the position of ADOR’s CEO a significant obligation under the exclusive contract.” In its response, ADOR welcomed the verdict. “We sincerely hope that today’s judgment… will serve as an opportunity for the artists to calmly reflect on this matter,” the label said. “ADOR is committed to re-emphasising its role and responsibilities as NewJeans’ management agency. We have completed preparations for the artist’s upcoming studio album and are waiting to resume activities.” Despite the ruling, NewJeans is not backing down. Their legal representatives at Shin & Kim said the group intends to appeal. “NewJeans members respect the court’s judgment, but it is impossible to return to this company and continue normal entertainment activities in the current situation where the trust relationship with ADOR is completely shattered,” the firm said in a statement to The Korea Times. NewJeans’ 2023 EP Get Up was a major success, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and spending 26 weeks on the chart, with the hit single “Super Shy” peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Global 200.
