On March 7, members of NewJeans, known as NJZ—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—attended a crucial hearing at the Seoul Central District Court. This session revolved around an injunction that the company ADOR had previously lodged in January.
A report from the South Korean news outlet The Fact indicated that during this court appearance, the 50th Civil Agreement Division raised significant queries about the alleged interference of former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin in the independent operations of NewJeans.
Impacts of Management Changes on NewJeans’ Future
The court inquired whether NewJeans had already secured a new agency or planning service for their upcoming performance scheduled for March 21. The group’s legal counsel recounted the ongoing ambiguity regarding their management situation, stating:
“We are not in a situation where we can sign a contract yet.”
The Fact noted that further inquiry revealed that no singular entity was overseeing the preparations for their performance, with the court stressing that a comprehensive planning company was not currently in charge.
“We understand that the organizers are arranging the necessary personnel, but the members are not fully informed of every detail,”the attorney explained.
Intensifying Legal Dispute Over Alleged Contract Tampering
The ongoing legal battle between ADOR and NewJeans—now referred to as NJZ—has attracted considerable scrutiny as the court delves into allegations of contract tampering involving Min Hee-jin. During the March 7 session, lawyers for ADOR asserting that Min Hee-jin had initiated plans for the group to break away from ADOR to establish a new management agency.
They reportedly cited KakaoTalk messages where Min allegedly discussed the potential move and the termination notice that NewJeans submitted, which was linked to a file prepared by Sejong Law Firm—Min’s former legal representation. Conversely, NewJeans’ defense argued that the troubles arose from the mismanagement by ADOR and HYBE, emphasizing that Min’s role was pivotal to their success and highlighting a lack of communication concerning her dismissal.
Moreover, NewJeans’ representatives accused ADOR of attempting to undermine the group by pursuing plans to introduce a new act to replace them, casting the conflict as a dispute over management implications rather than personal misconduct.
The court session, which wrapped up on March 14, allowed both parties to submit additional evidence. With upcoming performances on NewJeans’ schedule, a ruling is eagerly anticipated. If the injunction is upheld, the group may need to cease all independent activities until the main legal case is resolved. Conversely, if the injunction is rejected, NewJeans could continue their ventures under the NJZ brand. A pivotal trial regarding the validity of their exclusive contract is set for April 3.
Legal professionals following the case indicated that the success of the injunction likely depends on ADOR’s ability to deliver concrete evidence that substantiate claims of collusion between Min Hee-jin and NewJeans prior to the termination of the contract. Mere speculation surrounding meetings or legal counsel may not suffice; the bar for proving tampering appears to require demonstrable binding agreements or acts with tangible economic implications.
Competing Narratives on the Group’s Success and Management
On March 7, arguments were also exchanged over NewJeans’ claim to terminate the contract. ADOR contended that the group’s skyrocketing popularity was not solely due to the members’ efforts but was heavily reliant on the substantial backing provided by the management and HYBE.
In arguments, ADOR’s legal team revealed significant investment figures, noting that HYBE had injected 21 billion KRW into ADOR, with almost half—around 10 billion KRW—earmarked for promoting NewJeans’ debut. This investment encompassed the launch of a fan platform dedicated specifically to the group.
ADOR attributed the collective success of NewJeans to the strengths of its production teams, stylists, choreographers, and managers. They underscored the influential role HYBE played, which included showcasing NewJeans in a BTS music video and executing joint promotions with other HYBE acts, bolstered by using the ‘younger sibling group of BTS’ label during campaign periods at Min Hee-jin’s request.
When addressing the contract’s termination, ADOR’s legal advisors argued that NewJeans had not established valid legal reasons, such as financial disputes or oppressive working conditions. Instead, they claimed that the group’s justification stemmed from subjective grievances, including vague claims that “HYBE does not like us.”
In response, NJZ’s legal representatives shared a contrasting viewpoint. They accused HYBE of systemic discrimination, citing specific instances that hampered the group’s progress, including media biases, conflicts with Dolphiners Films regarding video production, and accusations of plagiarism related to the rookie group ILLIT. NJZ’s team asserted that issues began surfacing even before their official debut.
They noted that Min Hee-jin had promised that NewJeans would debut as HYBE’s inaugural girl group. However, the plans changed, allowing LE SSERAFIM to debut first, a misstep they deemed a violation of trust.
This conflict has its roots in November 2024, when NewJeans formally declared an end to their exclusive contract with ADOR, subsequently adopting the NJZ title for their independent activities starting February 2025. In reaction, ADOR sought an injunction to inhibit the group from securing endorsements, later issuing requests to block their music and entertainment engagements as well.