(Photo from NewJeans SNS)
The legal battle between NewJeans and their agency, ADOR, has taken a dramatic turn—one that could shake the entire K-pop industry.
During a court hearing on July 24 at the Seoul Central District Court, ADOR strongly emphasized that NewJeans’ return to the agency is not only in the best interest of the group but also crucial for the health of the K-pop ecosystem.
ADOR, currently in the midst of preparing NewJeans’ next comeback, argued that maintaining the exclusive contract is essential. “Returning to ADOR would be beneficial to NewJeans,” the agency stated, citing a recent Seoul High Court ruling that sided with ADOR’s request to uphold its position as the group’s management and to block the signing of external advertising deals.
“The group failed to prove any valid reason to terminate the exclusive contract,” ADOR said, emphasizing that the court found no legal grounds for termination. The agency believes that if the contract remains intact, NewJeans can continue their activities without the burden of legal disputes or financial penalties.
“NewJeans could avoid reputational damage and continue receiving full support from ADOR and HYBE,” the agency added. “However, if the contract is terminated, it will lead to irreparable damage—not just to NewJeans’ image, but also to the livelihood of ADOR staff and the agency’s future.”
In a bold statement that caught the attention of fans and industry watchers alike, ADOR warned, “If we lose NewJeans, it will be difficult for us to foster new talent, and the K-pop industry may face serious decline.”
They concluded passionately:
“NewJeans is essential—not just for ADOR, but for K-pop itself.”
As the legal dispute continues, fans around the world are anxiously watching to see how this high-stakes conflict will unfold—and what it could mean for one of the most beloved girl groups of this generation. (worldpopkorea@gmail.com)
