On June 18, ADOR released an official statement following the appellate court’s decision to uphold a prior injunction, reaffirming the agency’s legal authority over NewJeans.
In the statement, ADOR expressed gratitude to the court and issued a heartfelt message directed at the group’s members, urging them to return to their official position within the agency.
“We are grateful for the court’s ruling, which once again confirms ADOR as the official agency of NewJeans,” the agency stated. “We hope this decision becomes an opportunity for the members to return to their place as ‘NewJeans‘ and continue their activities.”
ADOR emphasized that as the group approaches its third debut anniversary next month, the company is committed to providing full support for their next chapter, aiming for greater growth and a new leap forward.
This follows the Seoul High Court’s June 17 ruling, which dismissed NewJeans‘ appeal against an injunction that prohibits them from engaging in independent entertainment activities or signing ad contracts without ADOR’s consent. The ruling solidifies the lower court’s April decision in ADOR’s favor.
The legal battle began after NewJeans claimed their exclusive contracts were void and began operating independently. However, the court maintained that the contracts remain valid, and the group cannot conduct any activities outside of ADOR’s approval. Any violations are subject to a ₩1 billion (~$720,000) fine per incident per member, as per a prior court decision on April 29.
Despite the firm ruling, the possibility of a settlement remains slim. NewJeans‘ legal representatives have stated in court that the trust between the members and the agency has irreparably broken down, describing the situation as having “crossed a river of no return.” ADOR, however, has indicated that if the court’s final judgment is clear, a future settlement could be easier to negotiate.
For now, NewJeans remains legally bound and inactive, with all entertainment activities on hold as the legal conflict continues.
ADOR’s Full Statement:
Hello, this is ADOR.
Yesterday, the appellate court once again clearly reaffirmed that ADOR is NewJeans‘ management agency.
We sincerely thank the court for its judgment.
We hope this decision serves as an opportunity for the members to return to their rightful place as NewJeans and resume their activities. As NewJeans celebrates their 3rd debut anniversary next month, we are committed to doing our utmost to support the group so they can achieve greater leaps and continued growth.
Thank you.
Some believe that this is a valuable opportunity for NewJeans to consider returning to ADOR, while others hold a different view:
- Go back? Go where? Don’t even think about it. You guys have to keep being warriors or revolutionaries or whatever that was, right???? Never come back — even if you do, there’s no place for you anymore.
- Don’t go. Seriously, don’t go back and just hang in there, LOL.
- This might be your last chance.
- Just look at FIFTY FIFTY’s Keena… She went back and is doing fine now.
- With ADOR and HYBE together, if they really wanted to, they could make dozens of groups like NewJeans. These backstabbing idols who don’t even know their place but keep acting out — seriously disgusting.
Ultimately, whether NewJeans chooses to return or pursue a separate path, the decision will significantly shape both their future and the direction of ADOR moving forward.