NewJeans vs. ADOR Contract Dispute Heats Up as ADOR accuses NewJeans of ‘Forcing Contract Termination’ with Inconsistent Reasons; Next Trial Set for July
The legal battle between K-pop group NewJeans and their agency ADOR took a dramatic turn during the second court hearing on June 4, 2025. NewJeans firmly rejected any possibility of a settlement, stating their trust in ADOR has been “completely shattered.” The court has scheduled the next hearing for July 24 as both sides continue to clash over contract terms and management disputes.
NewJeans did not attend the hearing at the Seoul Central District Court but sent their legal team instead. When the court asked if a settlement was possible, their lawyers responded:
“The relationship of trust has been completely shattered. We have crossed a river and can no longer return.”
ADOR, however, showed willingness to settle but only after the court makes a final decision. The agency said, “If the court comes to a decision regarding this case, then a settlement will be easy enough.”
Why NewJeans Refuses to Settle
NewJeans claims ADOR failed to meet its management duties after HYBE took control and removed former CEO Min Hee-jin. The group argues that ADOR’s leadership changes led to a loss of creative freedom and unfair treatment.
“ADOR failed to fulfill its essential duties as outlined in the contract. After Min Hee-jin left, the company changed drastically, and we lost our independence. Despite asking for corrections, ADOR did nothing,” NewJeans’ legal team stated.
They also criticized ADOR’s evidence as weak, particularly regarding meetings with producers. “If ADOR met producer Hitchhiker as claimed, they must disclose what was discussed and the outcomes,” they added.
ADOR Fights Back, Accusing NewJeans of Shifting Reasons
ADOR countered by accusing NewJeans of changing their reasons for wanting to terminate the contract. The agency insists the group is trying to justify an already-made decision rather than presenting valid legal grounds.
“NewJeans keeps altering their reasons for leaving. This proves they decided to terminate first and are now searching for excuses,” ADOR’s legal team argued.
The agency maintains that their contract with NewJeans is valid until 2029 and that they have upheld their responsibilities, including payment settlements and activity planning.
Court Restrictions on NewJeans’ Activities
The court has barred NewJeans from any independent activities without ADOR’s approval. If they violate this order, each member faces a fine of 1 billion KRW (about $734,000) per violation. This ruling came after NewJeans performed at ComplexCon Hong Kong under the name NJZ and released a new song, Pit Stop, without ADOR’s consent.
“Since NewJeans violated the injunction by performing under a new name and releasing music, stricter enforcement is necessary,” the court stated.
The next hearing is set for July 24, 2025, where both sides will present further arguments. If no settlement is reached, the court will eventually rule on whether NewJeans’ contract termination is valid.
Meanwhile, NewJeans continues to appeal the injunction restricting their independent activities. Their legal team clarified:
“The current ruling is temporary. If we win the appeal, the enforcement fines will no longer apply.”
As tensions rise, fans and industry watchers are closely following this case, which could reshape how K-pop agencies handle artist contracts in the future.
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