On Nov 28th, NewJeans members Kim Minji, Hanni Pham, Danielle June Marsh, Kang Haerin and Lee Hyein held an emergency press conference at the Galaxy Hall in the SpaceShare Samseong Station Center in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul regarding their contract termination.
During the press conference, the five members stated, “NewJeans is an artist under ADOR, and ADOR has a duty to protect NewJeans. However, the company has neither the intention nor the ability to do so. Remaining under such conditions would only waste our time and prolong our mental suffering. Above all, there is nothing for us to gain professionally by staying. All five of us see no reason to continue. The response from ADOR, citing the ‘implementation of measures outlined in the certification of contents’, was forced and insincere. No meaningful improvements were made to address the issues we raised. Even through repeated communication via live broadcasts and the certification, their indifferent attitude left us exhausted and convinced they have no intention of accommodating our requests. Therefore, as of midnight on Nov 29th, we will terminate our exclusive contract.“
The members also addressed financial and branding concerns, “We’ve seen articles about penalties, but we have neither violated our exclusive contract. We have always done our best in our activities and see no reason to pay penalties. The current situation arose because ADOR and HYBE violated the terms, so we believe they are responsible. After midnight, we may be unable to use the name ‘NewJeans’ for some time due to trademark issues beyond our control. However, this does not change the essence of who we are, and we will not give up. To us, the name ‘NewJeans’ is not just a brand—it holds the meaning of everything we’ve shared since the day we first met. We will strive to secure full rights to the name and preserve its significance.”
The members added, “Min Hee-jin inspired us with courage. Seeing her work so diligently alongside great people left a strong impression. She once said she wanted to set a precedent, which became a source of great motivation. While it’s easy to make resolutions, we know how hard it is to uphold them in life. Nothing will resolve itself unless we take action, which is why we’ve taken this bold step. We understand the challenges and obstacles ahead, but as a group, we are determined to face this adventure and journey together. We hope for your support and encouragement as we move forward.”
Although NewJeans declared their contract termination as of midnight on Nov 29th, a fierce legal battle over liability is expected. ADOR claims to have fully supported NewJeans, while the members argue they suffered significant disadvantages, suggesting prolonged litigation is inevitable.
If the court grants an injunction, NewJeans may be prohibited from engaging in activities beyond their existing schedules until the main lawsuit is resolved. If denied, their contract will remain in effect, and the case could take 3~5 years to settle, leaving NewJeans’ future uncertain. Even if the members win the case, it may still be difficult for them to use the name “NewJeans” as ADOR holds the trademark rights.
Having debuted in July 2022, NewJeans still has about five years remaining on their contract. Depending on the acknowledgment of liability, the penalty for contract termination is expected to exceed 400 billion KRW.
Despite these realities, the members stood firm, stating, “We have always given our best efforts and see no reason to pay penalties. The current situation is due to ADOR and HYBE’s breaches, and they should bear responsibility.” They also expressed their commitment to honoring existing schedules and contracts, including advertisements, under the name “NewJeans”. The members plan to release the certification of contents they received from ADOR on Nov 29th. While HYBE and ADOR have yet to release their statements, public opinion is divided. Some support NewJeans, while others criticize the group for acting prematurely without adequate preparation.
In response to the press conference, ADOR stated, “It is regrettable that NewJeans planned and held a press conference to terminate their contract without fully reviewing our response to the certification of contents. ADOR has not violated the contract, and claims of broken trust do not constitute grounds for termination. The exclusive contract between ADOR and the members of NewJeans remains valid, and we ask for continued collaboration in upcoming schedules.”
The NewJeans saga is at a critical juncture, and the coming developments will determine its trajectory.
Source: Daum
