ADOR, the agency behind NewJeans, argues that the group’s massive success stems directly from HYBE’s substantial financial backing. During a recent legal session, ADOR’s representatives claimed that the $14.5 million investment from HYBE played a critical role in NewJeans’ rapid rise to stardom.
The Financial Backing
ADOR’s legal team emphasized the sheer size of HYBE’s investment. They stated that HYBE provided a total of ₩21.0 billion KRW (approximately $14.5 million USD) across two investment periods. According to ADOR, this level of financial support for a single group is exceptionally rare.
Beyond Talent and Hard Work
While acknowledging the talent and dedication of the NewJeans members, ADOR argued that these qualities alone do not fully explain their success. They highlighted the dedicated efforts of ADOR’s 50-person team, including stylists, music video directors, choreographers, and managers, who worked tirelessly to support NewJeans from their trainee days.
ADOR’s legal counsel stated,
“We were able to create a fan platform only for NewJeans and invest ₩10.0 billion KRW (about $6.91 million USD) solely for their debut and marketing due to HYBE’s investment.”
This statement emphasizes the direct link between HYBE’s funding and the specific resources allocated to NewJeans’ development and promotion.
Pre-Debut Promotion and BTS Connections
Furthermore, ADOR claimed that HYBE leveraged its established reputation to promote NewJeans before their debut. They cited the appearances of members Minji and Hanni in BTS’s “Permission to Dance” music video and the group’s initial labeling as “BTS’s little sister group.” ADOR also asserted that these promotional strategies, which connected NewJeans to BTS, were implemented at the request of Min Hee Jin.
