NewJeans vs ADOR: Seoul Court Upholds K-pop Group's Contract Through 2029, Members Plan Appeal
A Seoul court ruled Thursday that K-pop girl group NewJeans must honor their exclusive contract with agency ADOR until 2029, rejecting the members' attempts to terminate the agreement. The five-member group immediately announced plans to appeal.
Court Rejects Contract Termination Claims
The Seoul Central District Court's 41st Civil Division found that ADOR did not breach its contractual obligations with NewJeans members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein. Judge Jeong Hoe-il ruled that the exclusive contract signed April 21, 2022 remains legally binding.
The court dismissed multiple claims raised by NewJeans, including allegations that removing former CEO Min Hee-jin created a management vacuum. "The fact that Min was dismissed from her CEO position does not mean ADOR became incapable of fulfilling its contractual obligations," the ruling stated.
The decision also rejected arguments about workplace mistreatment and broken trust between the group and agency, finding insufficient evidence to justify contract termination.
Background: Year-Long Legal Battle
The dispute began in November 2024 when NewJeans declared they were ending their contract, citing irreparable damage to their relationship with ADOR following Min Hee-jin's removal as CEO.
Min had been at the center of a bitter power struggle with HYBE, ADOR's parent company, since April 2024. HYBE accused Min of attempting to seize control of ADOR, while Min countered that HYBE copied NewJeans' creative concepts for other groups and failed to protect the members.
After NewJeans' contract termination announcement, ADOR filed a lawsuit in December 2024 seeking court confirmation that the contract remained valid. The agency also secured injunctions preventing the group from independent activities.
In February 2025, NewJeans attempted to operate under the name "NJZ," but courts blocked these efforts. The ruling also established financial penalties: each member must pay ADOR 1 billion won ($700,000) for any unauthorized entertainment activities.
Members Vow to Fight On
NewJeans' legal team at Sejong Law Firm released a statement within minutes of the verdict, announcing immediate plans to appeal.
"The members respect the court's judgment, but given that their relationship of trust with ADOR has completely collapsed, they believe it is impossible to return to ADOR and continue normal entertainment activities," the statement read.
The group expressed hope that an appellate court would "comprehensively review the facts and legal principles governing contract termination" and deliver what they called "a wise judgment."
Market Impact
HYBE shares jumped 7.12% following the ruling, adding approximately $644 million in market capitalization. The decision marks a significant victory for the entertainment giant, which has seen volatile stock performance throughout the dispute.
NewJeans debuted in July 2022 and quickly became one of K-pop's most successful acts, with hits including "Attention," "Hype Boy," and "Super Shy." Their 2023 EP "Get Up" reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
The case has become a landmark dispute in K-pop, raising questions about artist rights and agency power in South Korea's entertainment industry.
Both parties have until November 14, 2025 to file an appeal.
