A leading South Korean law firm has issued a stark warning to the popular K-pop group NewJeans, stating that if they appeal a recent court loss in their contract dispute with label ADOR, they will “certainly lose again.” The warning comes as the group’s former CEO, Min Hee Jin, faces a separate and financially risky 26 billion KRW lawsuit.
In a video titled ‘Why We Might Not See NewJeans Until 2027,’ attorneys from Kang & Park Law Firm expressed strong doubts about the group’s planned appeal. The lawyers stated that the court in the first trial had carefully interpreted the law and found no valid grounds for NewJeans to terminate their contract.
“If NewJeans appeals, they will lose again, one hundred percent. There is no chance of overturning the ruling without decisive new evidence, and that is highly unlikely,” the legal experts said.
The legal team further explained that pursuing the case through the Supreme Court could keep the group on an extended hiatus, potentially stretching their career suspension until 2027.
The Court’s Original Ruling and NewJeans’ Stance
On October 30, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that the exclusive contracts between NewJeans and ADOR remain valid. The court found that ADOR had not breached its duties as a management agency and that the label had continued preparations for the group’s activities, including a studio album.
Following the ruling, ADOR issued a statement saying it had “completed preparations for the artist’s activities” and was waiting to return to discussions with the members.
In contrast, NewJeans’ legal representatives at Shin & Kim LLC immediately announced they would appeal the decision. The members released a statement insisting their relationship of trust with ADOR was “completely collapsed” and that it was “impossible to return to ADOR and continue their activities in the entertainment industry in a normal manner.”
The High-Stakes Financial Domino Effect on Min Hee Jin
The legal experts highlighted that the first trial’s outcome could seriously impact Min Hee Jin’s separate legal battle with HYBE. She is involved in a 26 billion KRW (approximately $18.2 million) stock dispute centered on a put option.
The lawyers initially believed the put-option case was in Min Hee Jin’s favor. However, they noted that the first trial ruling in the NewJeans contract case mentioned suspicions of “tampering,” which has changed the situation.
“Under civil procedure law, conclusions reached by one court tend to influence others with significant binding effect. Therefore, it is unlikely that the court handling the put-option case will disregard this first ruling,” the attorneys explained.
They warned that if Min Hee Jin loses the 26 billion KRW case, the financial damage would be severe. Beyond the massive lawsuit amount, she would also be responsible for enormous legal fees, stamp duties, and service charges, potentially leaving her “buried in debt.”
Potential Career Freeze and Financial Risks for the Group
The legal team outlined a grim timeline for the group if they continue their legal fight. An appeal process that goes all the way to the Supreme Court could mean that NewJeans’ group activities are suspended until 2027. The lawyers starkly commented that by that time, “NewJeans could become ‘OldJeans.’”
While the financial burden from losing the first trial was limited because it was a contract dispute and not a damages claim, the lawyers noted that the actual legal expenses for both sides, who hired major law firms, were likely much higher.
The legal professionals also expressed concern for the group’s personal situation, suggesting that “NewJeans does not have proper guidance from their parents or legal advisors” and that “no adult is stepping in to resolve this.”
This legal conflict has kept one of K-pop’s most successful new acts on hiatus since March, when a court first issued an injunction blocking the group’s independent activities. With the court confirming that NewJeans’ contract with ADOR remains valid until 2029, the path forward for the group remains uncertain.
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