In a major development in the ongoing legal dispute surrounding K-pop sensation NewJeans, the Seoul court has ruled in favor of ADOR, upholding the validity of the group’s exclusive contract. The decision comes after months of high-profile mediation attempts, public controversy, and corporate maneuvering, effectively ending the most recent chapter of one of the K-pop industry’s most closely watched conflicts. According to the court, “It is difficult to view ADOR as having violated the exclusive contract merely by dismissing former CEO Min Hee-jin,” reinforcing the label’s legal standing and authority over the group.
The Seoul Central District Court has ruled that NewJeans must continue activities under ADOR and cover lawsuit costs, stating: “It is difficult to view the defendants (NewJeans) engaging in entertainment activities with the plaintiff (ADOR) as being against their free will or as forcing them into exclusive contract activities. The exclusive contract signed between NewJeans and ADOR on April 21, 2022, is valid. The defendants shall bear the litigation costs.”
On the other front, NewJeans plans to appeal the decision upholding their exclusive contract with ADOR. “The members respect the court’s decision however, they maintain their position that it is impossible to return to ADOR and continue normal entertainment activities, as the relationship of trust between the parties has already been completely broken.”
The ruling follows the collapse of the second round of mediation on September 10, when negotiations between NewJeans and ADOR lasted only 20 minutes and yielded no resolution. The breakdown of talks pushed the case toward a decisive court judgment. The dispute intensified in August when ADOR removed all references to NewJeans—recently performing under the temporary name NJZ—from its official platforms.
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The controversy traces back to the removal of Min Hee-jin, ADOR’s founding CEO and NewJeans’ creative director, in August 2024. Min’s departure ignited a series of events that included a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking NewJeans from proceeding under the NJZ name, public backlash from the group, and accusations of mismanagement, discriminatory treatment, and interference by staff from other HYBE subsidiaries. NewJeans publicly demanded Min’s reinstatement in a widely viewed livestream.
Since their debut in 2022, NewJeans has emerged as one of K-pop’s fastest-rising acts. Their 2023 EP Get Up debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, featuring hits such as “Ditto” and “Super Shy.” Despite the legal and managerial turmoil, the members have maintained a consistent message to fans: they remain committed to the NewJeans identity and their artistic vision. The court’s decision in favor of ADOR now legally affirms the label’s control over the group’s activities, providing clarity amid months of uncertainty.
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