On March 25, 2025, the Ministry of Employment and Labor officially dismissed all workplace allegations against ADOR’s CEO, Kim Joo-young, deeming them groundless. This ruling marks the third consecutive instance in which similar allegations involving ADOR have been found to lack merit by labor authorities.
The controversy was ignited by claims from a NewJeans manager, Mr. A, who reported being unexpectedly suspended during a work meeting and required to return his company-issued laptop. Mr. A described the experience as coercive and degrading, prompting him to file a formal complaint against Kim Joo-young with the Ministry back in December 2024.
After an extensive investigation, it was determined by the Seoul regional office of the Ministry that there was inadequate evidence to support the claims of workplace harassment. This conclusion is consistent with prior assessments where similar accusations against the management of the label were dismissed.
This ongoing series of legal disputes occurs amidst rising tensions between NewJeans and their label, ADOR. In late 2024, the members of NewJeans publicly rallied in support of their former CEO, Min Hee-jin, after her dismissal, leading to a series of grievances and legal actions that highlighted ongoing discord within the organization.
NewJeans (NJZ) Announces Hiatus at ComplexCon Despite ADOR’s Non-Consent
On March 23, 2025, NewJeans took center stage at ComplexCon in Hong Kong, where they made a surprising announcement regarding their hiatus, citing respect for a recent court ruling.
The girl group, headlining at the AsiaWorld-Expo Arena, captivated an audience of over 11,000 fans, marking their first live performance in nearly a year. Their hour-long set featured a debut performance of a new, unreleased song titled “Pit Stop,”along with a fresh identity under the name NJZ, complete with distinctive merchandise available on-site.
Notably, ADOR’s Hybe label had initially not sanctioned the group’s appearance at ComplexCon. However, following a favorable court injunction on March 21, 2025, the label reversed its stance, allowing NJZ to perform.
This decision came after a court order prevented the group members from participating in independent activities without ADOR’s approval. Nonetheless, the label had instructed the members to refrain from using their new name “NJZ”during the event. Reports surfaced that ADOR struggled to contact the group members upon their arrival in Hong Kong, leading to the performance and merchandise sale labeled under NJZ, despite the court’s restrictions.
After their performance, NJZ took a moment to address the audience regarding their hiatus. Member Hanni shared the heartfelt message:
“It is really hard for us to say this, but this might be our last performance for a little while. Out of respect for the court’s decision, we’ve decided to pause all our activities for now. It wasn’t an easy decision, but we believe this is something we need to do at this moment.”
This escalating conflict between NewJeans and ADOR began in November 2024, when the members sought to exit their exclusive contracts, alleging breaches in artist protection and creative control.