The prolonged and bitter dispute between NewJeans and its agency ADOR over the validity of the girl group’s exclusive contract is finally set to be resolved in court next month, after both sides failed to reach a settlement in mediation.
The Seoul Central District Court held a second mediation session on the afternoon of September 11 in a lawsuit filed by ADOR to confirm the validity of its contract with the five NewJeans members — Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein. As with the first session held on August 14, the two sides failed to reach an agreement. The court is scheduled to deliver a ruling on October 30.
The dispute began in November last year when NewJeans claimed that ADOR had violated the terms of its contract and announced its intent to continue activities independently. ADOR filed a lawsuit asserting that the contract remains valid. Earlier in the proceedings, the court partially granted ADOR’s injunction request, restricting the members from pursuing independent activities pending a final decision.
At the heart of the case is whether the exclusive contract is still valid and whether legitimate grounds for termination exist.
ADOR argues that the contract remains in effect and that there are no grounds for termination, citing a 21 billion won ($15.1 million) investment from its parent company HYBE to support NewJeans and claims of transparent revenue settlement.
NewJeans counters that the current leadership at ADOR — replaced by HYBE executives following the ouster of former CEO Min Hee-jin — no longer reflects the company it originally signed with.
“Trust has completely broken down over the course of this lengthy legal battle,” the group’s representatives said.
With both mediation attempts ending without a resolution, the case will now be decided by the court. The October ruling is expected to have major implications for NewJeans’ future activities and ADOR’s management trajectory.
BY JEONG JAE-HONG [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]
