On March 11, 2025, the Chosun Ilbo revealed serious allegations surrounding Min Hee-jin’s potential involvement in the announcement of contract termination between NJZ (formerly NewJeans) and ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE. Notably, Sejong Law Firm is reported to have drafted and issued the notification document pertaining to this termination.
This development complicates the ongoing legal disputes involving ADOR and NJZ, especially since Min Hee-jin formally stepped down as CEO of ADOR on November 20, 2024. Her interactions with any members of NJZ without ADOR’s approval raise concerns about legal breaches, qualifying as a form of illicit interference.
Further insights from the Chosun Ilbo indicated that the law firm’s English designation, “S&K,”was cited as the document’s author. It’s important to note that this document was dispatched in November 2024, prior to NJZ’s announcement in January 2025 that Sejong Law Firm would be acting as their legal counsel.
During the initial injunction hearing held on March 7, 2025, at the Seoul Central District Court, ADOR presented a compelling case by introducing evidence that included KakaoTalk chat records from Min Hee-jin. These records purportedly show that her comments in May 2024 align closely with public statements made by NJZ in November 2024.
If the court acknowledges this evidence as valid, it could significantly influence the injunction ruling, potentially leading to a favorable outcome for ADOR. In the meantime, the Seoul Central District Court has mandated that NJZ clarify their reasons behind the contract termination with ADOR.
Overview of the NJZ vs. ADOR Dispute: Contract Issues and Rebranding
The girl group NewJeans debuted under ADOR in July 2022, quickly establishing a presence in the K-pop landscape with hit tracks like “Hype Boy,””Attention,””Ditto,””ETA,”and “OMG.”However, tensions began to surface in April 2024 when HYBE accused Min Hee-jin of attempting to gain control over the label and the group, claims she vehemently denied, countering that ILLIT, another HYBE entity, was imitating NewJeans’ distinctive aesthetic.
As the situation escalated, evidence from an audit led HYBE to file a police report against Min Hee-jin for alleged “breach of trust.”In a rapid response, Min held an emergency press conference on April 25, 2024, where she contended that HYBE was fabricating claims while ignoring her grievances regarding the management of NewJeans.
The members of NewJeans subsequently expressed their concerns by calling for Min Hee-jin’s reinstatement following her removal as CEO on August 27, 2024, citing feelings of insecurity under the new leadership of Kim Joo-young. Accusations arose regarding workplace harassment and alleged breaches of their privacy from earlier training phases.
After presenting an ultimatum to HYBE’s Chairman Bang Si-Hyuk for Min Hee-jin’s reinstatement by September 25, 2024, NewJeans faced disappointment when their request was rejected. Although allegations of workplace bullying against ADOR were dismissed by the South Korean Ministry of Employment and Labor.
In a significant shift, the group announced the termination of their contracts with ADOR on November 28, 2024. They cited multiple contract violations that neglected their rights as artists, stating their intention to continue as a unit and fight for control over their group name.
In response to this termination, ADOR contested the claims, asserting that the members remained legally bound to their contracts and initiated a lawsuit on December 3, 2024, to affirm the contract’s legitimacy. Furthermore, in January 2025, ADOR sought an injunction to prevent the group from engaging with advertisers independently.
Adding to the drama, NewJeans rebranded as NJZ and revealed plans for performances at ComplexCon scheduled between March 21 and 23, 2025, alongside the introduction of new musical content under their new identity.
The culmination of the injunction filed by ADOR against NJZ is set for March 14, 2025, at the Seoul Central District Court, where the future of the group and its relationship with the label hangs in the balance.