A South Korean court ruled against them on Friday, meaning NewJeans will remain under contract with their record label ADOR until 2029.
Lawsuit
NewJeans debuted in 2022, releasing their first singles that year. At the time, they were managed by the label ADOR, which falls under South Korean media giant HYBE.
In April 2024, HYBE carried out an audit of ADOR and asked ADOR’s CEO Min Hee-jin – also NewJeans’ mentor – to step down. Min resigned in August.
The following month, NewJeans demanded Min be reinstated, but HYBE refused. The members then publicly spoke out against the label, with one member, Hanni, alleging she faced workplace harassment.
Then, in November last year, NewJeans held a press conference announcing they were terminating their contract with ADOR.
The group said the company lacked the “willingness and ability to protect” them, and there was “nothing to gain” by staying.
In December, ADOR sued NewJeans, seeking to prove their contract couldn’t be terminated.
It also asked the court to stop NewJeans from working independently. This request was granted, and NewJeans announced a hiatus in March.
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Outcome
On Thursday, a South Korean court ruled the group’s contract with ADOR is valid.
It is expected to finish in 2029.
The court rejected the group’s argument that Min’s dismissal was a breach of contract, and ordered them to pay legal costs.
Following the decision, HYBE’s shares significantly increased in value.
Comments
International media reports ADOR hopes the judgment “will serve as an opportunity for the artists to calmly reflect on this matter.”
NewJeans’ legal representatives say the group plans to appeal, with Korean outlet Chosun reporting the members believe “it is impossible to return to ADOR” because the “relationship... has completely broken down.”
