On April 9, 2025, a confidential court hearing took place in Seoul to assess the appeal submitted by the five members of the popular K-pop group NewJeans. The appeal challenges a prior ruling that restricts their ability to manage their entertainment careers and engage in brand partnerships without obtaining prior approval from their agency, ADOR.
The session, presided over by Judge Kim Sang-hoon of the Civil Court’s Division 50, commenced at 2 p.m. but concluded in a mere fifteen minutes, with only the legal representatives from each side in attendance. Unlike the previous public hearing regarding the injunction, this session was closed to the public at the artists’ request.
Following the proceedings, ADOR’s attorney briefed the media, indicating that both parties presented their arguments; however, no significant changes were made to the existing verdict. The attorney for NewJeans did not provide any comments after the session.
On March 21, the court initially sided with ADOR, supporting its assertion of being the group’s management agency. This ruling prevented the members from pursuing solo careers or entering into contracts via intermediaries without ADOR’s consent. Furthermore, it forbade the group from promoting themselves under their new alias, ‘NJZ.’
ADOR welcomed the court’s ruling and reiterated its commitment to supporting NewJeans professionally. In contrast, NewJeans acknowledged the court’s decision but expressed that it did not resolve their concerns with the agency. Subsequently, the group filed an appeal and announced the suspension of all upcoming projects.
Hyein’s Father Contests Contract Termination
On April 4, 2025, there was a flurry of confusion when online speculation mistakenly identified Haerin’s mother as opposing the termination of their contract with ADOR. However, South Korean publication New Daily clarified that it was in fact Hyein’s father who had taken issue with the contract’s end.
Hyein’s father initiated legal proceedings against his wife regarding the authority to serve as Hyein’s legal representative amid escalating tensions among the parents of underage group members concerning the contract dispute. During a court session on April 3, a judge confirmed that the family court had resolved a conflict over parental authority concerning “Defendant 4.”
The ruling established that one parent was granted the legal right to represent the child in this matter. Reporting from Chosun Biz suggested that the dispute involved at least two minor members—Hyein and Haerin—indicating dissent among their parents regarding the contract termination with ADOR.
Online speculation about “Defendant 4″led many to assume it was Haerin, after recognizing “Kang”in court documents. This prompted misinformation suggesting that her mother was opposed to the lawsuit and not designated as her legal representative. Contrary to those claims, New Daily confirmed that it was Hyein’s father, not Haerin’s mother, who shifted his stance on the contract’s termination.
Initially aligned with the other parents during the group’s notice to terminate their agreement on November 29, 2024, Hyein’s father later expressed opposition. Subsequently, on March 14, the court awarded full guardianship to the mother of the group’s maknae. On April 4, all families of the group members issued a statement refuting any rift.
This unified statement affirmed that the decision to leave ADOR was collectively endorsed by all families, who also dispelled rumors about Haerin’s mother, confirming her and her family’s complete support.
The statement elaborated that the parental rights issue pertained to just one family’s situation and had been handled privately with the child’s welfare in mind. It urged the public to refrain from speculation and not to use family matters against the group, concluding with a request for privacy.
NewJeans has been promoting independently under the name ‘NJZ’ while navigating the ongoing contract dispute with ADOR since November 2024.