Archive · 31 Oct 2025
Seoul Court Rules Against NewJeans in Contract Dispute
Imagine a group of friends, NewJeans, who signed a contract to work with a company, ADOR, to make music.
The friends felt they were not treated well and wanted to end their contract.
Their company, ADOR, which is part of a bigger company called HYBE (the same one that manages BTS), said the contract is still valid.
A judge looked at the situation and decided that the friends' complaints of mistreatment were not enough to break the contract.
The judge said the contract between NewJeans and ADOR is still good.
The court also mentioned that the person who used to lead ADOR, Min Hee-jin, didn't have to stay as the leader for the contract to be valid.
ADOR wants NewJeans to continue making music with them.
The Seoul Central District Court ruled against K-pop group NewJeans' attempt to cut ties with their label ADOR.
The court upheld the validity of NewJeans' exclusive contract with ADOR, rejecting claims of mistreatment.
NewJeans members had sought to terminate their contract, citing "mistreatment" and an "irreparable breakdown of trust".
The court stated that the level of trust damage was not sufficient to justify terminating the exclusive contract.
ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE, welcomed the decision and called for the group members to resume their work.
- Who
- NewJeans members, ADOR, Seoul Central District Court
- What
- The Seoul Central District Court ruled against K-pop group NewJeans, upholding the validity of their contract with their label ADOR and rejecting claims of mistreatment.
- When
- Thursday (date not specified, but recent)
- Where
- Seoul Central District Court
- Why
- The court found that the alleged mistreatment did not cause an irreparable breakdown of trust sufficient to terminate the exclusive contract, and that there was no contractual requirement for Min Hee-jin to remain CEO of ADOR.
NewJeans' Position
Court's Ruling & ADOR's Stance
Contract Termination Due to Mistreatment
NewJeans' Position
NewJeans members sought to terminate their exclusive contract with ADOR, citing "mistreatment" and an "irreparable breakdown of trust".
Court's Ruling & ADOR's Stance
The Seoul Central District Court rejected these claims, ruling that the alleged mistreatment did not cause sufficient damage to trust to justify contract termination and upholding the contract's validity.
Role of Min Hee-jin
NewJeans' Position
The dispute was fueled by allegations that HYBE forced out ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, leading NewJeans members to demand her reinstatement.
Court's Ruling & ADOR's Stance
The court stated there was no provision in the contract requiring Min Hee-jin, the former CEO, to necessarily head ADOR for the contract to be valid.
Independent Commercial Activities
NewJeans' Position
NewJeans members sought to cut contractual ties and presumably engage in independent activities.
Court's Ruling & ADOR's Stance
The court's decision upheld ADOR's position, maintaining its contract with the group and previously granting an injunction to prevent the group from seeking outside opportunities without the label's consent during legal proceedings.
- Court Ruling Date
- Thursday (Date not specified, but recent)
- Court
- Seoul Central District Court
- Parties Involved
- NewJeans members, ADOR, HYBE
- Contract Dispute
- NewJeans members sought to terminate contract with ADOR citing mistreatment.
- Court's Decision
- Rejected NewJeans' claims of mistreatment and upheld the validity of their contract with ADOR.
- Min Hee-jin's Role
- Dispute also involved allegations regarding the removal of Min Hee-jin as ADOR CEO.
