NewJeans and ADOR Face Off in Second Court Hearing as Contract Dispute Escalates
The legal battle between K-pop sensation NewJeans and their agency ADOR intensified today, June 5, as the Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Agreement Division 41 held the second hearing in the ongoing lawsuit over the validity of their exclusive contract.
The case gained national attention following the first hearing on April 3, where ADOR expressed interest in settling, but NewJeans firmly refused the idea of returning. “That’s not the case for us at this point,” the group’s representatives said. “Mentally, we’re not in a place to consider going back.”
ADOR emphasized that Min Hee-jin’s departure, while impactful, did not make NewJeans irreplaceable. “Min contributed to the group’s success, but the idea that NewJeans cannot exist without her is exaggerated,” ADOR claimed. “As a HYBE subsidiary, we have access to top-tier producers who can support the group.”
NewJeans’ side pushed back, highlighting a lack of preparation for leadership transition. “Despite 6–7 months between the attempt to dismiss Min and the contract termination, ADOR failed to present any concrete alternative,” they argued. The presiding judge acknowledged the case’s uniqueness, “Typically, contract disputes arise from missed payments or lack of support. This is different—we need to seriously consider what constitutes a true breakdown of trust.”
Meanwhile, on May 30, another ruling complicated matters further. The court sided with ADOR in a separate injunction, restricting NewJeans from signing endorsement deals or performing without ADOR’s approval until a verdict is reached. Each violation could cost the group 5 billion KRW (approx. $3.6 million USD).
As the courtroom drama unfolds, fans and industry insiders alike are watching closely to see whether NewJeans will regain full independence or be bound once more by their former agency.
