ADOR, the agency managing NewJeans, has publicly addressed allegations of workplace harassment made by a former manager. The agency issued a statement refuting claims of illegal confinement and coercion, while accusing the manager of misconduct and announcing legal measures.

The Manager’s Allegations

The former manager accused ADOR and CEO Kim Joo Young of workplace harassment, alleging they were forced to surrender personal devices and were unlawfully confined until a company laptop was returned.

ADOR’s Response

On December 11, 2024, ADOR released a statement denying the allegations. Key points include:

• No illegal detention: The agency clarified the manager was placed on administrative leave, not confined, and was repeatedly requested to return company property.
• Laptop data wiped: ADOR claims the returned company laptop had been formatted, rendering data recovery impossible. They stated this action breached company policies, which require all work-related data on company assets to remain intact.

Misconduct Allegations Against the Manager

ADOR accused the manager of contacting advertisers directly to form contracts involving NewJeans, bypassing the agency. They claimed this violated the exclusive contract, which mandates all group activities to be conducted through ADOR.

In their statement, the agency said:

“The manager has admitted to this communication, which constitutes a serious breach of the artist’s exclusive contract with us.”

ADOR alleged the manager provided false statements and failed to cooperate in the investigation, despite opportunities to present evidence.

Legal Action Underway

ADOR plans to pursue legal action regarding the formatted laptop and alleged breaches of contract. This incident adds to the ongoing lawsuit between ADOR and NewJeans, initiated by the agency to validate the girl group’s exclusive contract after they announced termination.

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