Court to Hear ADOR’s Plea to Block NewJeans’ Independent Advertising Contracts Next Month

The legal battle between NewJeans members and ADOR has officially begun with the first hearing scheduled for next month.

The contract dispute between K-pop group NewJeans and their agency ADOR is set to continue on March 7. A court hearing is scheduled on the aforementioned date to discuss the group’s advertising contracts. The label seeks to maintain its exclusive rights over NewJeans’ commercial endeavors. 

An injunction application was filed to prevent the group from signing independent advertising deals after the group announced contract termination. The hearing will mark a key development in the ongoing dispute.

On February 6, Daily Sports exclusively reported that the Seoul Central District Court’s 50th Civil Affairs Department has scheduled a hearing for March 7 to consider ADOR’s injunction request. The injunction aims to prevent the five NewJeans members from signing advertising contracts or engaging in similar activities.

This hearing is the first court proceeding since NewJeans announced the termination of their exclusive contract with HYBE and ADOR in November 2024.

ADOR filed the injunction in January to stop NewJeans members from engaging in independent advertising activities. They claimed this was a breach of contract, as the members were pursuing solo activities, including exploring new stage names, before the court had made a ruling.

Earlier, in December last year, ADOR filed a separate lawsuit with the Seoul Central District Court to validate its exclusive contract with NewJeans. A trial for this case is set for April 3rd at the Seoul Central District Court’s 41st Civil Agreement Division.

On November 28, 2024, NewJeans held a press conference announcing the termination of their exclusive contract with ADORE. Since then, the group has been operating independently. They are currently running a naming contest for a temporary group name. In addition, they have appointed law firm Sejong to represent them in their ongoing legal dispute with the label.

NewJeans wrapped scheduled activities with ADOR early last month and launched a separate Instagram to keep communicating with fans. Additionally, their parents have also opened a temporary Instagram to share their position on the ongoing dispute. 

The group wishes to continue working with the former CEO of ADOR Min Hee Jin. She was removed as a CEO last August after being accused of a takeover attempt. NewJeans publicly sided with her and members have expressed their desire to continue their journey with her.

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