The legal battle between NewJeans and their agency ADOR has reached a decisive turning point — and the ruling has come down squarely on the label’s side.
On 30 October, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that NewJeans’ exclusive contracts with ADOR remain valid and binding until 2029, rejecting the members’ request to terminate their agreements. The decision means the group — Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein — will remain under ADOR’s management for the foreseeable future.
The court’s decision
The court stated that NewJeans had not provided sufficient evidence that ADOR had violated any “major obligations” under their contract or that trust between the two parties had irreparably broken down.
The ruling also granted ADOR what’s called an “indirect compulsory execution”, meaning that the label can restrict the group from pursuing independent activities outside of the company until the contract’s expiration in 2029.
This comes after an earlier March 2025 injunction ruling, which had already sided with ADOR by barring the members from conducting commercial activities on their own (following the band's soft launch as NJZ).
Background on the dispute
The conflict first erupted in November 2024, when NewJeans announced plans to terminate their contracts with ADOR, citing “a breakdown of trust” and “mismanagement.” The group’s representatives alleged that communication with ADOR’s management — particularly with CEO Min Hee-jin — had deteriorated beyond repair.
ADOR countered with its own lawsuit, asserting the validity of the agreements and insisting that the company had fulfilled all contractual duties.
The court’s latest decision cements ADOR’s authority over NewJeans and marks a major precedent in K-pop’s long-running conversation about artist–agency power imbalances.
ADOR’s official statement
Following the ruling, ADOR issued an official statement expressing gratitude for the decision and reaffirming its position as NewJeans’ rightful management agency:
“Today, the court ruled that the exclusive contracts between our company and our artists NewJeans remain valid. The court determined that our company did not violate any obligations as a management agency and that any attempt to break away from the exclusive contracts by citing a breakdown in trust should not be permitted. We are deeply grateful for the court’s decision.”
“For nearly a year, the court has consistently ruled in multiple related cases that our company holds the position of management agency under the exclusive contracts and that the artists are to carry out entertainment activities with us.”
ADOR added that it hopes to “move forward positively” with the members, though industry watchers remain skeptical about the group’s ability to resume activities seamlessly after such a prolonged and public dispute.
NewJeans’ legal team responds
In response, NewJeans’ representatives from Yulchon LLC released a counter-statement acknowledging the court’s decision but expressing disappointment over the outcome:
“While we respect the court’s judgment, it is impossible to return to ADOR and continue normal entertainment activities given that the relationship of trust with ADOR has already completely collapsed.”
— NewJeans’ legal team, via Yulchon LLC statement
The members’ lawyers also confirmed that they intend to appeal the decision, maintaining that ADOR’s management practices caused “significant emotional and professional distress” to the artists.
What this means for K-pop
The case has drawn massive attention within South Korea and globally, marking one of the most significant legal disputes in K-pop since TVXQ’s 2009 contract case. The court’s ruling reinforces the strength of long-term exclusive contracts under Korean entertainment law — and underscores how difficult it remains for idols to terminate them without clear, provable breaches by their agencies.
Legal experts have noted that the decision could set a new precedent for how “trust breakdown” claims are evaluated in entertainment contracts moving forward.
For now, NewJeans remain legally bound to ADOR until 2029, meaning any upcoming releases, appearances, or commercial partnerships will continue under ADOR’s control — unless the appeal overturns the decision.
What’s next
NewJeans’ legal team has already filed notice of appeal, with further hearings expected in the coming months. HYBE, ADOR’s parent company, has yet to issue a separate statement on how this ruling might affect ADOR’s internal management or NewJeans’ promotional schedule.
In the meantime, fans around the world are watching closely — both for signs of reconciliation and for clarity on whether the group’s future creative output can continue under the current arrangement.
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