NewJeans is currently focusing on an ongoing legal battle against ADOR after announcing a temporary suspension of activities.
The 5-member girl group announced that they are suspending activities for the time being after their performance at ComplexCon Hong Kong on March 23. This difficult decision was made after the court favored ADOR and banned their entertainment activities temporarily under the new identity, NJZ. The group decided to take a temporary break instead of continuing activities with ADOR.
NewJeans Files an Objection to Court’s Decision of Ban on Independent Activities
On Friday 21, NewJeans announced that they will be challenging the court’s decision to ban their activities under the new stage name.
On the same day, NewJeans members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein filed an objection to an injunction that the Seoul Central District Court had previously accepted. This injunction aimed to preserve ADOR’s status as their agency and prevent the group from signing advertising contracts without the label’s approval. By filing an objection, the members are requesting a retrial, essentially asking the court to reconsider its initial decision. Now, the court’s decision will determine whether the group can pursue independent activities.
Following the court’s acceptance of the ADOR injunction, NewJeans will submit an objection. If the objection is rejected, the group plans to appeal the decision.
Today, ADOR expressed regret with NewJeans’ decision to halt activities and requested a meeting to discuss their future together.
NewJeans Announces Legal Action Against Malicious Comments
In recent days, public opinion has turned against NewJeans, especially after the injunction hearing on March 7. The group is receiving a surge of hateful comments on Korean internet forums and social media platform X. Fans of other HYBE label groups have begun labeling them “mean girls.”
The ongoing fandom wars erupted after Min Hee Jin and HYBE’s feud began in April 2024. Former ADOR CEO Min dragged popular groups like BTS, LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT, and others into the conflict.
Min Hee Jin is currently facing defamation lawsuits from the agencies of LE SSERAFIM and ILLIT, accused of spreading false information and damaging the artists’ reputations.
On March 24, SHIN & KIM law firm, the legal representative of NewJeans, announced legal action in an official statement. The legal firm stated that malicious slander and false information targeting NewJeans is at a serious level.
The statement reads, “We are rigorously collecting evidence and pursuing criminal procedures regarding malicious posts identified on major online communities including DC Inside, FM Korea, Theqoo, Naver, Daum Cafe, Nate Pann, Ruliweb, and Ppompupu. In particular, we have filed reports with the police twice, on December 13th, 2024, and March 13th, 2025, and individuals previously reported are already under police investigation.”
They added, “Such illegal activities can be punished under the Criminal Code and the Act on the Promotion of Information and Communication Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc. as defamation (Article 307 of the Criminal Code, Article 70 of the Act on the Promotion of Information and Communication Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc.), obstruction of business (Article 314 of the Criminal Code), etc. Especially, in cases of defamation by spreading false information, a sentence of up to seven years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 50 million won may be imposed.”
SHIN & KIM law firm stated that they will monitor and hold those individuals spreading misinformation accountable.
Meanwhile, the court will hold a hearing for the main lawsuit regarding the validity of the exclusive contract on April 3.
