Category: KPOP NEWS

NewJeans has issued an official statement addressing the ongoing legal battle with their former agency. The girl group have spoken up about the lawsuit filed by ADOR over their exclusive contracts.

NewJeans Responds to Lawsuit Filed by ADOR Over Contract Dispute

The controversy began on November 29, when the members of NewJeans announced their decision to terminate their contracts, citing breaches of agreement by ADOR and the agency’s failure to rectify the issues. The group’s announcement followed an emergency press conference on November 28, where they publicly outlined their grievances, emphasizing the lack of response from ADOR regarding critical contractual violations.

On December 3, ADOR responded by filing a lawsuit with the Seoul Central District Court, seeking to legally validate their exclusive contracts with NewJeans. This move sparked further public debate about the agency’s handling of the matter.

In their December 6 statement, NewJeans reiterated their stance, expressing disappointment in ADOR’s approach to the dispute. The members emphasized their united decision to pursue fair treatment and safeguard their professional and personal integrity, highlighting that the termination of their contracts was not made lightly but as a necessary step to uphold their rights.

“Recently, we learned through the media that ADOR filed a lawsuit seeking confirmation that our exclusive contracts are still valid,” the statement read. “In their statement, ADOR failed to properly assert that there were no breaches of the exclusive contracts, instead repeatedly claiming that the contracts cannot be terminated until the company recoups its support and investments.”

“However, we have already returned profits exceeding the investment to ADOR and HYBE,” it continues. “Despite this, HYBE has attempted various forms of interference, including defamation and reverse viral marketing, to devalue us, and ADOR has allowed this to happen under new management. This is akin to the company producing malicious comments against us, the very artists they are supposed to protect. Considering this breakdown in trust, we have concluded that we are likely to suffer even more harm in the future.”

What Will Happen to NewJeans?

The escalating legal conflict has left fans concerned but hopeful that the talented group will overcome this challenge and continue to shine in their career.

The five members of NewJeans have made the significant decision to leave their agency, ADOR. Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein officially announces contract termination before the end of the month.

NewJeans Members Announces Contract Termination

Earlier this month, on November 13, the group sent a formal certification of contents to ADOR, outlining substantial breaches of their exclusive contracts and demanding rectification within 14 days. In their notice, they warned that failure to address their concerns would result in the termination of their agreements.

On November 28, the members held an emergency press conference to publicly announce their decision. During the conference, they detailed the unresolved issues that led to this drastic step, citing ADOR’s alleged contractual violations and lack of adequate response to their grievances. They emphasized their collective resolve to prioritize their rights and professional integrity over continuing under unfavorable conditions.

“The reason we are leaving ADOR is very simple, and I think the reporters here who know our situation are also all very aware,” they said. “NewJeans is an artist of ADOR, and ADOR is obligated to protect NewJeans. It is the most basic obligation that an agency has. ADOR does not have the will or ability to protect NewJeans. If we remain here, it will be a waste of our time, and our mental distress will continue. More than anything, there is nothing that we can gain in terms of our work, so the five of us think that there is no reason at all for us to remain at ADOR.”

“As a result, the exclusive contracts between NewJeans and ADOR will be terminated as of November 29 at 12 a.m. KST. However, HYBE and ADOR are currently differentiating the two companies like word play, insisting that it cannot be a violation of contract because HYBE is at fault and not ADOR. However, as everyone knows, HYBE and ADOR are pretty much just one entity now. The ADOR that we worked with has already changed a lot, and the directors who were at the company before were all abruptly dismissed. Now they are differentiating HYBE and ADOR, and we really cannot accept the argument that we must maintain our exclusive contracts with the ADOR that has been changed according to what HYBE wants, that has cut off ties with the [music video] director who worked hard with us, that has broken all of this trust. As a result, we demanded rectification regarding the violations of our contract, and as mentioned earlier, the time period for that rectification ends at midnight tonight.”

ADOR Reacts to NewJeans’ Announcement

It didn’t take long before ADOR responded to NewJeans’ announcement, expressing regret over the situation and reiterating their stance.

“ADOR, as a party of the exclusive contracts, has not violated the contracts, and claiming that trust has been unilaterally broken does not constitute grounds for termination,” the statement read. “The exclusive contracts between ADOR and the NewJeans members remain valid. Therefore, we expect them to continue their scheduled activities ahead together with ADOR as they have until now.”

“We have requested several meetings with the artists, but they were not carried out,” it continued. “We hope that even now, we can open our hearts and have sincere conversations together.”

The development marks a significant turning point for NewJeans, who have been widely recognized for their meteoric rise in the K-pop industry. The group’s departure from ADOR has left fans and industry watchers speculating about their next steps and future endeavors.