Public Reacts as Court Rejects NewJeans’ Appeal in Ongoing Legal Battle: Pushed by Adults?
The controversy surrounding K-pop group NewJeans continues to escalate, as the Seoul Central District Court rejected the group’s appeal against a preliminary injunction ruling on April 16.
Court Upholds Injunction Against NewJeans, Sparks Online Outcry
The court’s Civil Division 50 dismissed the objection submitted by the five members of NewJeans, reinforcing the earlier decision that restricts them from engaging in independent activities without the prior approval or consent of ADOR.
This decision stems from ADOR’s successful injunction filed on March 21, which sought to preserve its status as the group’s management agency and to prohibit NewJeans from entering into contracts without its involvement. As a result, until a final ruling in the main lawsuit is delivered, NewJeans remains legally bound to ADOR’s authority over their activities.
The case has ignited a firestorm of commentary across social media platforms and online forums. Many netizens expressed dismay at what they perceive as the entertainment industry’s tendency to treat young idols as commodities. Comments like “They’re seen as products, not people” and “People like Min Hee-jin are dangerous” resonated with a large portion of users. Others questioned the influence of adults surrounding the young members, stating, “They’re clearly too young to be making these decisions alone. It feels like the grown-ups pushed them into this mess.”
Fans Torn Between Legal Debate and Emotional Milestone
Conversely, a significant number of voices defended the legal process. One user remarked, “The law isn’t something you can ignore just because you appeal to public sympathy,” while another emphasized the importance of understanding contractual obligation, “This case should be used to teach how much contracts matter in a capitalist society.”
Fans, meanwhile, are caught in a wave of emotional frustration and sadness. Many worry about the group’s long-term future, with some commenting, “Time passes, days go by… and they’ll just fade away like this.”
Following the court’s rejection of their objection, NewJeans’ legal representatives at Shin & Kim announced they had filed an immediate appeal and would continue to pursue legal proceedings to clarify the facts. Coincidentally, the ruling came on the group’s 1000th day since debut, which the members acknowledged with a heartfelt message to fans on their independent social media account, expressing gratitude and love despite the ongoing conflict.
As the dispute develops, both fans and the wider public are paying close attention, not only to the legal outcome but also to its potential impact on artist rights and contract dynamics within the K-pop industry.