The popular K-pop group NewJeans has refused to settle with their agency ADOR during the second court hearing over their ongoing contract dispute. The group stated that trust between them and the company has been “completely broken,” making reconciliation impossible.
The hearing took place on June 4, 2025, at the Seoul Central District Court. NewJeans did not attend but was represented by their legal team. When the court suggested a settlement, their lawyers firmly declined, saying:
“The relationship of trust has been completely shattered. We have crossed a river and can no longer return. A settlement is unlikely.”
On the other hand, ADOR responded by saying they would wait for the court’s final decision before considering any agreement.
Why NewJeans Refuses to Settle
NewJeans claims that ADOR failed to protect them from unfair treatment after HYBE, ADOR’s parent company, took over. They say the agency did not fulfill its management duties, leading to a loss of creative freedom.
The group also accused ADOR of providing insufficient evidence to prove they properly supported NewJeans. Their legal team argued:
“ADOR claimed it fulfilled its duties by suggesting producers, but that’s not enough. If they met with producers, they must show what was discussed and the outcomes.”
ADOR, however, argued that NewJeans keeps changing their reasons for wanting to leave, suggesting they had already decided to quit.
Court’s Previous Ruling Against NewJeans
Earlier, the court had issued an injunction preventing NewJeans from doing any activities without ADOR’s permission. If they violate this, each member must pay ₩1 billion KRW (about $735,000) per violation.
This came after NewJeans performed in Hong Kong under the name “NJZ” and released new music without ADOR’s approval. The court saw this as a breach of their contract.
NewJeans has appealed the decision, calling the fine a “temporary measure” that will be canceled if they win the case.
The next hearing is scheduled for July 24, 2025, where both sides will continue their arguments. The final court decision could impact not just NewJeans but also how K-pop agencies handle contracts with artists in the future.
For now, NewJeans has paused all activities. They recently posted a message to fans, saying:
“I read your letters yesterday, and they made me feel so good. I started to miss you. So I just came.”
The legal battle began in November 2024 when NewJeans tried to terminate their contract, accusing ADOR of mistreatment. ADOR then sued to keep control over the group’s activities.
Credits: NewJeans’ X, News1
