“Cannot be unilaterally terminated” — ADOR files lawsuit to confirm validity of exclusive contract with NewJeans

On December 5, 2024, HYBE subsidiary label ADOR filed a lawsuit at the Seoul Central District Court to confirm NewJeans' contract termination validity. The lawsuit was filed by the label on December 3, following its rookie girl group exiting the label on November 29, 2024.

The South Korean music label ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE, found itself embroiled in controversy following the abrupt contract termination by the members of NewJeans.

On November 29, 2024, the group announced that they were ending their contracts with ADOR, citing a breach of agreement and lack of corrective action. The group declared their intention to continue using the name “NewJeans” while pursuing activities independently.

In response, ADOR filed a lawsuit on December 5, 2024, with the Seoul Central District Court to contest the termination and reaffirm the validity of their exclusive contracts.

The label released an official statement expressing regret over the escalating conflict and asserted that the contracts remain legally binding.

KBS News reported that ADOR emphasized the importance of maintaining trust between artists and agencies as a cornerstone of the K-pop industry. As per the accurate translation provided by @jjinjins, the label said:

“We did not want the issues with our artist (NewJeans) to be resolved through legal judgment. However, we determined it was necessary to make clear to both the artist and other stakeholders that the exclusive contract between the company and the artist cannot be unilaterally terminated based on a single party’s claims, leading us to make this unavoidable decision.”

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ADOR responds to NewJeans' contract termination with legal action

ADOR’s statement expressed disappointment with the group’s press conference, stating that NewJeans had not engaged in sufficient dialogue with the company before the public announcement.

The agency argued that the termination claims lacked legal grounds and that their exclusive contracts remained in effect.

ADOR also reiterated its commitment to supporting the girl group as global artists and expressed a willingness to resolve misunderstandings through open communication.

Furthermore, the label warned that any independent activities pursued by the group under the name “NewJeans” would constitute a breach of contract. The agency highlighted that the group name is legally owned by HYBE and ADOR, making its use by the members outside the company a potential trademark violation.

The girl group’s members claimed their decision to terminate the contracts stemmed from ongoing grievances with ADOR, including alleged mismanagement and unmet promises.

They asserted that they have the right to operate independently and continue using the group name, and expressed their wish to work with former ADOR CEO, Min Hee-jin.

Significantly, their contract termination announcement came after Min Hee-jin resigned from HYBE and as the inside director of ADOR on November 20, 2024.

Previously, she was replaced by Kim Joo-young as ADOR's CEO on August 27, 2024. Newsen reported that she fought to regain her position and was rehired as the inside director on October 17, and a month later, she resigned voluntarily.

This legal battle underscored a recurring issue in the K-pop industry: disputes over exclusive contracts and intellectual property rights. ADOR’s lawsuit aimed to set a precedent by protecting agency investments and ensuring long-term trust between artists and companies.

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As of now, neither party indicated a willingness to back down, and the court's ruling will likely play a pivotal role in determining the next steps for both NewJeans and ADOR.

Fans around the world remain divided, with many calling for a fair resolution that allows the group to thrive without jeopardizing their artistic or professional growth.