On June 5, the second hearing regarding the ongoing legal battle between NewJeans and their agency, ADOR, took place. During the session, the Seoul Central District Court encouraged both parties to consider reaching a mutual settlement. ADOR expressed openness to the suggestion, stating that once the court’s verdict was released, a resolution could be more easily negotiated. However, NewJeans’ side firmly refused to consider reconciliation. They reiterated that the issue wasn’t just about legal terms but about irreparable damage to trust.
According to Korean media outlet News1, the girl group believes ADOR mistreated them following the agency’s acquisition by HYBE. NewJeans claimed that ADOR failed to defend their interests, particularly when HYBE allegedly began showing favoritism toward other groups under its umbrella. They emphasized that ADOR’s neglect violated the protective terms in their contract, prompting the decision to seek legal termination. The group’s representatives clearly stated that there was “no turning back,” reinforcing their stance on not settling.
This hearing followed an earlier injunction ruling that had put NewJeans at a disadvantage. The court had temporarily sided with ADOR, ordering the group to pay a penalty of 1 billion KRW for each unauthorized activity they engaged in outside the agency. NewJeans’ legal team clarified that this ruling was provisional and would be overturned if they eventually won the primary case over the contract’s validity.
Currently, ADOR maintains that NewJeans is contractually bound to them until July 31, 2029. On the other hand, NewJeans insists they have legal grounds for unilateral termination, given the alleged breach of trust and failure to fulfill contractual obligations. As the case continues without resolution, the rift between the group and their agency appears to be widening.