“Contract Terminated, ADOR Support Continues?” NewJeans’ Selective Communication Raises Questions
The fallout from the dispute has entered its fifth day, following NewJeans’ announcement on November 29 that they would terminate their exclusive contract with ADOR.
The group claimed that the termination was due to ADOR’s breach of contract and asserted that they are not obligated to engage in legal battles or pay any penalties. While ADOR repeatedly appealed for dialogue to resolve misunderstandings, NewJeans stood firm, stating that continuing the contract with ADOR caused them “severe mental anguish”.
However, reports have surfaced that NewJeans are still carrying out their scheduled activities with the support of ADOR staff. After their press conference, the members reportedly traveled to Japan accompanied by ADOR staff to fulfill commitments such as music show appearances.
If the exclusive contract has indeed been terminated, ADOR would seemingly have no obligation to provide support. Moreover, since the trademark and intellectual property (IP) of NewJeans belong to ADOR, the group cannot freely use them. This paradoxical situation of NewJeans working alongside ADOR staff has raised eyebrows.
On December 3, the Korea Management Federation (KMF) released a lengthy statement regarding the dispute between NewJeans and ADOR. The KMF criticized the group’s claims, calling them baseless: “The assertion that an exclusive contract can be terminated unilaterally without legal proceedings is preposterous. Such actions could have devastating consequences for the Korean entertainment industry. Companies, having made initial investments, are inherently at a disadvantage in exclusive contracts. However, current laws do not provide adequate protection for companies. When contracts are maliciously terminated, companies are left with no recourse other than seeking compensation for damages, as there are no measures to enforce the contract. NewJeans’ approach could severely undermine the foundations of our cultural and entertainment industries.” The statement urged NewJeans to retract their stance and engage in dialogue with ADOR.
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding Min Hee-jin, former CEO of ADOR, continues to grow. On December 2, a media outlet reported allegations that Min was aware of NewJeans’ sudden live broadcast and Hanni’s appearance at a National Assembly audit session in advance. The report also claimed that Min met with the chairman of an investment firm through the introduction of one NewJeans member’s uncle, raising suspicions of tampering.
Min Hee-jin filed lawsuits against two journalists who authored the report, as well as former HYBE CEO Park Ji-won and HYBE CCO Park Tae-hee. However, Min has yet to issue a statement addressing the allegations.
Source: Daum
