The tense legal saga between South Korean record label ADOR and K-pop group NewJeans has been ongoing for over a year. Earlier this year, the group changed their name due to ongoing litigation. The latest development follows the court ruling from October 30 that NewJeans’ contracts were valid, and that all five members remain bound to them until their expiration in 2029. The court also dismissed NewJeans’ accusation of workplace harassment against BELIFT LAB’s girl group ILLIT manager involving NewJeans member Hanni. Since then ADOR and NewJeans members have engaged in intense discussions regarding the group’s future.
Today, the agency announced it has terminated their contract with NewJeans member Danielle. In a statement, provided via Soompi, ADOR commented that “it would be difficult to continue together as a NewJeans member and an ADOR artist.” The agency is also planning on taking legal action against “one member of Danielle’s family and former CEO Min Hee Jin, who bear significant responsibility for precipitating this dispute and for NewJeans’ departure and delayed return.”
According to the new ADOR statement, Hanni is respecting the court’s decision and continuing with the agency. Minji is still in talks with ADOR following the court’s decision.
Read ADOR’s full statement :
Following the court’s final ruling in the lawsuit confirming the validity of the exclusive contracts, ADOR has held extensive discussions with Minji, Hanni, Danielle, and the families of the three members.
Hanni visited Korea with her family and engaged in long, in-depth conversations with ADOR. In the process, we revisited past events and took time to view matters objectively. After candid talks, Hanni decided to respect the court’s ruling and continue with ADOR.
Minji is also in talks with ADOR, and discussions are ongoing to broaden mutual understanding.
In Danielle’s case, we determined that it would be difficult to continue together as a NewJeans member and an ADOR artist, and today we notified her of the termination of her exclusive contract. In addition, we plan to pursue legal accountability for one member of Danielle’s family and former CEO Min Hee Jin, who bear significant responsibility for precipitating this dispute and for NewJeans’ departure and delayed return.
Through these conversations, ADOR learned that, over a long period, the members had been continuously exposed to distorted and biased information, which led to many misunderstandings about the company and ultimately to this dispute. The company and the artists agree that, to regain the love of fans and the public, it is necessary—even if it takes some time—to fully dispel these misunderstandings based on accurate facts. We have also agreed to find an opportunity to address the various controversies that arose during the dispute and are discussing the timing and manner.
ADOR will do its utmost to bring this matter to an amicable conclusion and to ensure that NewJeans can return to fans as soon as possible.
