A court has ordered K-pop group NewJeans to halt all independent activities under their rebranded name, NJZ.
The court has sided with ADOR, approving the label’s request for an injunction that was submitted on January 6. The original application was filed to prevent independent NewJeans’ advertising contracts but was later expanded to cover all independent endeavors by the group.
Court Rules Sides with ADOR to Stop NewJeans’ Independent Activities
Today, the court granted an injunction application filed by ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE, against the five members of NewJeans, Minji-, Danielle, Hanni, Hyein, and Haerin. The injunction aims to preserve ADOR’s agency status and prohibit the group from entering into advertising contracts or engaging in similar activities.
On March 21, the 50th Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Sang-hoon) ruled, “The creditor (ADOR) is temporarily recognized as having the position of a management company under the exclusive contract, and the debtors (NewJeans) are prohibited from engaging in any entertainment activities without the prior approval or consent of the creditor.”
The court stated, “Firstly, ADOR has largely fulfilled its major obligations under the exclusive contract, including settlement obligations, to NewJeans. Considering the process of notifying ADOR of the contract termination, it seems that ADOR was unable to perform its management duties under the exclusive contract due to the members’ unilateral termination notification. Even if ADOR had some shortcomings in fulfilling its obligations under the exclusive contract, at this stage, where it has not been confirmed that ADOR’s breach of duty was repeated or continued for a long period, it is difficult to conclude that the trust relationship has reached the point of breakdown.”
The court continued, “Considering that ADOR would suffer significant damages if the members unilaterally withdraw from the exclusive contract relationship, and that if the members engage in activities under a new group name (NJZ), it would seriously damage the brand value of NewJeans as well as ADOR’s reputation as a management company, it is considered that the need to prohibit NewJeans’ activities and commercial activities as entertainers through a preliminary injunction before the final judgment has been proven.”
NewJeans members cited 11 grounds for terminating their contract, including concerns over ADOR’s leadership change after Min Hee Jin’s departure.
They also pointed to Park Ji Won’s remarks about giving the members a lengthy break, as well as a music report containing the phrase “Just throw away New and start anew”.
Additionally, the members referenced disputes between ADOR and other parties, including Dolphin Kidnapping Group director Shin Woo Seok.
They also alleged that BELIFT LAB’s group ILLIT attempted to damage and replace NewJeans’ uniqueness. Furthermore, member Hanni claimed she was told by the BELIFT LAB manager to “ignore us”. The members also highlighted comments from HYBE’s PR representative that disparaged NewJeans’ performance. However, the court rejected all 11 reasons and denied the group’s plea to nullify their contract.
NewJeans vs. ADOR Dispute
For those unversed, NewJeans terminated their exclusive contract with ADOR on November 29. In April 2024, the dispute began with Min Hee Jin being accused of taking over and seizing control of ADOR. NewJeans members sided with Min Hee Jin, who was removed as the label’s CEO in August last year.
Despite the group’s multiple ultimatums to reinstate her as CEO, HYBE did not accept their demands. This led to members terminating their contract with ADOR last November and carrying out activities independently without an agency.
In response, ADOR asserted that contract termination cannot be unilateral and it remains valid till July 2029. The new CEO, Kim Joo Young, urged the group to discuss their issues with her and use the name ‘NewJeans’ for their activities.
The label initiated a lawsuit in December 2024 to confirm the validity of the exclusive contract. Additionally, ADOR submitted an injunction application on January 6, seeking to maintain its status as NewJeans’ management agency and block the group from entering into new advertising contracts.
In February, they announced the new stage name “NJZ” and filed a trademark application to secure rights. They launched separate social media accounts and announced their performance at ComplexCon Hong Kong under the new identity.
Due to the court order, they cannot perform under the new name this weekend. ADOR vowed to provide full support for their performance, “As ADOR has legally confirmed its status as NewJeans’ agency, we will continue to fulfill our responsibility in supporting the artists. We will fully support the performance at this weekend’s ‘ComplexCon’ in Hong Kong so that it will proceed under the name of ADOR’s NewJeans.”
NewJeans also stated, “We have decided to participate after much deliberation to prevent any unforeseen damage to the fans who are looking forward to the concert and many related parties.”
NewJeans was initially set to perform at Hong Kong’s ‘ComplexCon’ on March 23 under the new name NJZ, with plans to unveil fresh songs. However, due to the court’s injunction, they will now take the stage as NewJeans.
Meanwhile, NewJeans plans to appeal today’s preliminary injunction decision and will present their arguments through the appeals process.
