ADOR Cracks Down on Deepfakes as NewJeans Members Return After Year-Long Legal Battle
K-pop group NewJeans is reuniting with ADOR following a court-ordered return, while their agency intensifies efforts to combat deepfake exploitation and online harassment targeting the members.
Deepfake Creator Sentenced in Landmark Case
A South Korean court handed down a significant penalty in the fight against AI-generated sexual exploitation. On November 20, the Pohang Branch of the Daegu District Court sentenced a 21-year-old man to a 15 million won ($10,200) fine for creating and distributing deepfake pornography using NewJeans members' faces.
The perpetrator manipulated images of members Haerin, Hanni, and Minji, superimposing their faces onto explicit content and sharing it through a Telegram channel accessed by approximately 200 users. Judge Park Kwang-seon also ordered the offender to complete 40 hours of sexual violence treatment programming.
The court emphasized the severity of the crime's reach and noted that the victims had not forgiven the perpetrator-factors that influenced the sentencing decision.
ADOR Rejects Settlement Offers, Pursues Maximum Penalties
ADOR revealed it has been monitoring online platforms continuously since NewJeans' debut but recently deployed additional personnel after a surge in malicious content. The agency announced it rejected all settlement requests from deepfake creators, instead pursuing maximum legal punishment.
"We are actively cooperating with investigative authorities to eradicate deepfake crimes," ADOR stated, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy toward content that violates the members' rights, including fake news, privacy invasions, and derogatory language.
Court Upholds Contract Through 2029
The legal battle between NewJeans and ADOR reached its conclusion when the Seoul Central District Court ruled on October 30 that the group's exclusive contract remains valid through 2029. The court rejected NewJeans' argument that removing former CEO Min Hee-jin constituted a breach of contract.
"It is difficult to conclude that ADOR breached the exclusive contract solely on the grounds of Min Hee-jin's dismissal," the court stated, adding that her personal relationship with the members did not establish a contractual obligation to guarantee her CEO position.
The ruling also imposed severe financial penalties: each member faces a 1 billion won ($700,000) fine per violation if they engage in entertainment activities without ADOR's approval.
Complicated Return Process Unfolds
On November 12, members Haerin and Hyein officially announced their return after discussions with their families and ADOR. The remaining three members-Minji, Hanni, and Danielle-issued a separate statement hours later through their legal representatives.
"We decided on our return to ADOR after careful discussion," the three members stated, explaining the delay by noting "one member is currently in Antarctica."
Reports later confirmed Hanni was traveling overseas and missed the initial November 11 meeting with ADOR CEO Lee Do-kyung. Minji and Danielle subsequently held individual meetings with the agency around November 20, while Hanni had not yet participated in discussions as of late November.
ADOR initially responded cautiously to the three members' announcement, stating it was "checking the authenticity" of their intentions before confirming plans for individual meetings with all members.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict erupted in November 2024 when NewJeans held a press conference announcing their contract termination, citing ADOR's alleged failure to protect them after Min Hee-jin's dismissal. ADOR responded by filing a lawsuit in December seeking contract validation.
In February, NewJeans attempted to rebrand as "NJZ" and pursue independent activities, but the court granted ADOR's injunction request, effectively halting the rebranded group's operations.
The yearlong legal battle saw the courts consistently rule in ADOR's favor, with judges determining that the agency had not violated its contractual obligations despite the members' claims of broken trust and mistreatment.
ADOR has indicated it stands ready to support the group's activities, including preparations for a new album, once all discussions are finalized and the members fully return under their existing contracts through 2029.
