NewJeans Wins Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against YouTuber, Awarded Millions in Damages

NewJeans has won a damages case against a YouTuber who posted sexually inappropriate content targeting the group, which included minors.

According to legal sources on August 11, the Seoul Western District Court’s Civil Division 13 recently ruled partially in favor of the five NewJeans members in their lawsuit against YouTuber Shin. 

The Seoul Western District Court ordered the defendant, Shin, to compensate Minji, Hanni, and Danielle with 5 million won ($3600) each, and minor members Haerin and Hyein with 7 million won ($5000) each. The decision became final on July 22 after Shin decided not to appeal.

Court findings showed that Shin created roughly 20 inappropriate videos between April and May 2024, using clips from NewJeans’ performances along with manipulated footage. These were uploaded on two YouTube channels along with malicious, sexually explicit comments. 

In the videos, Shin altered lyrics and phrases, for example, changing the word “Cookie” in NewJeans’ song to “thick” and modifying lyrics to a vulgar expression. Comments included statements such as, “I want to make you a mother of many children.”

In June 2024, NewJeans’ agency, ADOR, filed both criminal and civil suits against Shin, seeking 100 million won in total damages (20 million won per member). 

ADOR also requested a disclosure order from a U.S. court to identify Shin through Google. The agency argued that Shin’s actions were clearly malicious, defamatory, and harmful to the artists’ reputation, and presented multiple written submissions during the proceedings.

On June 25, Judge Lee Ah Young of the Seoul Western District Court ruled that Shin’s videos and comments violated social norms and public decency.

The court pointed out, “Mr.S has committed acts of sexual expression in each video and comment. This violates good morals and other social order, and is therefore unlawful.”

 The court concluded that the members’ personal rights were violated and ordered compensation accordingly.

Meanwhile, NewJeans has been in a prolonged dispute with ADOR over their exclusive contracts. In November 2024, the members held an emergency press conference announcing they were terminating their contracts, citing a breakdown of trust. They also revealed plans to operate independently under the new stage name “NJZ.”

ADOR responded by filing a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the exclusive contracts and sought an injunction to block the group’s independent activities and advertising deals. The court approved an injunction, restricting NewJeans from promoting outside the agency. The group appealed twice, but both the initial appeal and a second appeal to the High Court were dismissed.

The main lawsuit over the contract dispute is still ongoing. The court has ordered both parties to be present for the mediation session on August 14, where they will try to resolve their differences. If it fails, the court will announce the final verdict on October 30.

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