On March 26, 2025, the K-pop sensation NewJeans, also known as NJZ, participated in a revealing interview with the BBC, detailing their ongoing legal struggles with agency ADOR. Danielle, a key member of the group, shared her shock following the Seoul Central District Court’s recent ruling, which favored ADOR by granting an injunction.
During the discussion, Danielle expressed the group’s disbelief at the court’s decision, highlighting that they had been optimistic about a favorable outcome. She remarked,
“I was obviously expecting the alternative results, so I think it was a moment where we were all just really kind of in shock. I guess we just really wanted to be able to work. And to be able to do the work we love, without these misleading and false lies getting in the way,”
NJZ’s Legal Odyssey: An In-Depth Examination
The conflict between NewJeans and ADOR traces back to November 2024, when the members signaled their intention to terminate their contracts, citing numerous breaches by the agency. This moment marked a significant pivot, as they began pursuing independent ventures under the new name NJZ.
The origins of the discord can be linked to August 2024, following the dismissal of ADOR’s former CEO, Min Hee-jin. This leadership change occurred after HYBE, ADOR’s parent company, conducted an internal audit that unveiled Min’s attempts to consolidate control over NewJeans.
In a surprising turn, the members of NewJeans staged an impromptu YouTube livestream in September 2024, advocating for Min Hee-jin’s reinstatement. However, their pleas fell on deaf ears as ADOR’s independent board of directors refused to approve her return due to breaches of trust. In a contentious move, they rehired her in October 2024 as an internal director, yet her influence remained controversial.
Amidst these tensions, the NewJeans members moved forward with terminating their contracts in November. They claimed they had been treated unfairly compared to peers such as LE SSERAFIM and ILLIT, raising concerns over the terms of their agreements.
In retaliation, ADOR initiated legal proceedings in December 2024 and sought an injunction in January 2025 to restrict the group from engaging in independent activities without prior consent.
By February 2025, NewJeans had rebranded themselves as NJZ, signifying their desire for independence from both ADOR and HYBE. However, on March 21, 2025, the Seoul Central District Court ruled against them, issuing an injunction that barred them from undertaking independent activities and signing advertising contracts. This ruling was based on concerns that their efforts to operate independently could harm ADOR’s reputation and contractual interests.
As the legal battles continue, the first hearing regarding the validity of the contracts is scheduled for April 3, 2025, at the Seoul Central District Court. Notably, despite the ongoing dispute, NewJeans performed at ComplexCon in Hong Kong on March 23, 2025, debuting their new single “Pit Stop”under the NJZ name and announcing a temporary hiatus. During the event, they expressed their reluctance to return to ADOR due to feelings of insecurity.
In a recent update, News 1 reported that NJZ has filed an objection against the court’s injunction decision, with a follow-up hearing set for April 9, 2025, at 2 PM KST.
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