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The recent release of NewJeans’ VOGUE pictorials on December 18, 2024, stirred significant controversy. Fans criticized ADOR for allowing former CEO Min Hee-jin to direct the photoshoot. This backlash comes as Min Hee-jin's involvement appears to violate the girl group’s terminated contract with the label, sparking heated debates among fans about professionalism, ethics, and legal rights.
As per Ten Asia, an industry expert said:
“In a situation where a lawsuit has been filed, they could have waited a little longer and then acted, but it is incomprehensible why they are rushing to sign up for their own SNS or advertisement contracts. Advertising is the most sensitive issue in the industry, so it seems too hasty.”
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Ten Asia reported that Min Hee-jin's involvement in the VOGUE pictorial has reignited tensions. Fans argued that her direction of the shoot contradicted the terms of the group’s departure from ADOR.
Fans also accused ADOR of leveraging the pictorial to capitalize on the group's fame despite the contract termination.
Media outlets weighed in on the controversy, with KBIZoom reporting that ADOR offered Min Hee-jin a producing role for NewJeans for the duration of their remaining contract before the group severed ties on November 28, 2024.
Meanwhile, fans lashed out at ADOR for posting the group's latest Vogue shoot, which is directed by Min Hee-jin, on their X account.
Min Hee-jin resigned from ADOR on November 20 while NewJeans terminated their contact on November 28 via an emergency press conference.
One fan wrote:
"Its over Kim Joo Young...let it go"
Fans called ADOR "shameless" for posting the pictures on their official social media accounts despite the contract issue controversy.
"You are a fan account at this point," one fan said.
"Fraudor, please look up the word 'shameless' in the dictionary." another fan wrote.
"Without the members you are no one ador, shut up like a good boy and move on," one other fan added.
Others expressed similar sentiments:
"Why is fraudor tried so hard to be on the team. This magz shoot was directed by the women you hate lol," one fan reacted.
"It’s directed by min hee jin and the word “newjeans” is nowhere to be found on those pics," another fan wrote.
"DIRECTED BY MIN HEEJIN WHAT‘S YOUR BUSINESS POSTING THIS INDEPENDENT ART??? ador is so shameless," one other fan said.
ADOR vs. NewJeans & Min Hee-jin: The context of the girl group's contract termination and more
On November 28, 2024, NewJeans officially terminated their contracts with ADOR, citing allegations of mistreatment, creative control disputes, and dissatisfaction with the label's management.
The group, consisting of Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein, claimed that ADOR’s approach stifled their artistic freedom and that their demands for changes, including Min Hee-jin's reinstatement as CEO, were ignored.
This marked the culmination of months of legal and public dispute between the two parties.
Although their contract with ADOR hasn't been officially dissolved as the tenure runs till 2029, the group announced that they would continue to use the name "NewJeans," a decision that has raised legal questions.
ADOR retains the copyright to the group’s name, which could potentially lead to further legal complications.
It is crucial to note that the intellectual property law suggests that unless the Attention girl group negotiates a specific agreement with ADOR or challenges the copyright ownership in court, they may face restrictions on using the name independently.
The fallout between Min Hee-jin and HYBE further complicated matters. After being fired as ADOR's CEO earlier in August 2024, Min Hee-jin accused HYBE of misconduct, including alleged illegal audits and internal power struggles.
HYBE had called for Min Hee-jin resignation, citing breach of contract and a reported attempt to usurp management and takeover ADOR and NewJeans.
The strained relationship led to a legal battle from April 2024 till now, with Min Hee-jin leaving HYBE entirely in November. During this period, the girl group expressed support for Min Hee-jin, even issuing an ultimatum via a letter (November 14) demanding her reinstatement at ADOR.
However, HYBE and ADOR rejected their demands, leading to their contract termination and subsequent feud.
Under South Korean copyright law, ADOR, as the original registrant of the trademark, holds exclusive rights to its use. This would mean that any independent activities under the name "NewJeans" could potentially lead to legal disputes unless the group reaches a licensing agreement or successfully contests the trademark's ownership in court.
Hence the group's latest VOGUE Korea photoshoot is being seen as a potential breach of contract. Especially when ADOR had already sued the girl group on December 3, 2024, for verifying the contract's binding terms.
In other news, NewJeans opened another Instagram account, jeanzforfree, on December 14, 2024, amidst their contract feud with ADOR.
