Legal Experts Expect Outcome in NewJeans’ Injunction Case: What to Anticipate from the Court?

The injunction hearing filed by ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE, against the five members of NewJeans to limit their activities is set to conclude on March 14. A ruling is anticipated as early as the following week, with legal experts suggesting a strong chance that the injunction will be granted.
In January, ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE, filed a motion with the Seoul Central District Court to restrict the five members of NewJeans (Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein) from signing advertising contracts and engaging in other music-related activities. This action followed the members’ unilateral termination of their exclusive contracts and independent activities. ADOR requested the court impose restrictions on all music and ancillary activities.
During the hearing on March 7, the NewJeans members argued that their trust in HYBE was broken due to discrimination and neglect, asking for the injunction to be dismissed. ADOR countered by highlighting its significant investment in NewJeans and successful marketing efforts, asserting that their contract remains valid until 2029.

Following the hearing, NewJeans’ fandom, “Team Bunnies,” submitted a petition with 30,000 signatures, although accusations of manipulation surfaced. The court is expected to announce its decision in 2-3 weeks, with a ruling possibly coming as early as next week.
Legal experts are predicting that if the injunction is granted, the NewJeans members could face significant financial repercussions if they proceed with their planned activities in violation of the court’s ruling. If the injunction is dismissed, they will be able to continue with their release and performances as originally scheduled. However, it is expected that the legal battles will continue, as a lawsuit concerning the validity of their contract is set for trial on April 3rd.
Most legal experts believe that the injunction is likely to be granted. While there are arguments suggesting that the injunction may be difficult to grant due to the broken trust between the parties involved, many experts contend that the primary factor will be the legal validity of the contract, which makes the injunction appear more probable.

A lawyer from a law firm in Seocho-gu, Seoul, pointed out, “The breakdown of trust is based solely on one side’s claims, so the key will be how well NewJeans members prove their case.” The lawyer also stated, “Considering the settlement records, Ador seems to have fulfilled its core obligations under the contract,” which could strengthen ADOR’s position in the case.
What makes this situation particularly noteworthy is that this injunction differs from typical cases in which artists seek to suspend the validity of their exclusive contracts. In many of these cases, artists request to be freed from the constraints of their contracts in order to pursue other opportunities, and courts typically favor the artist’s career freedom. However, in this case, ADOR is asking the court to enforce the contract, compelling the NewJeans members to continue working under their label. This distinction is crucial because it could lead to a ruling that favors the label rather than the artists, which is not common in such disputes.
The ongoing contract dispute between NewJeans and ADOR is being closely observed by the entertainment industry at large. Music-related associations have previously issued joint statements calling for the legal protection of exclusive contracts, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that artists are bound by the agreements they sign. These associations have urged the court to make a careful and well-thought-out judgment that balances the interests of both the artists and the label, recognizing the importance of upholding the legal validity of the contract.
As this case progresses, the outcome is likely to have a significant impact not only on the relationship between NewJeans and ADOR but also on how exclusive contracts are viewed in the entertainment industry as a whole.