On Friday, the South Korean Court approved the ban against attempted by the K-POP Group of Newjeans to break ties with their record labels, ADOR, blocking members to deal with commercial activities without the sticker’s consent.
In the latest turn in a long quarrel between the two sides, the Council of Judges in the Seoul District Court acknowledged Ador Rights as a group manager on Friday. The verdict could stop the plans of the group to publish new songs, organize their own performances and sign independent advertising offers.
Five members of the Newjeans announced their division from Ador last November, accusing the label of harassment and have since renamed the group of NJZ. In response, Ador filed a lawsuit to determine his contract rights over the group.
Newjeans said he would challenge the court’s decision, insisting that the label would continue to be unjustly and unevenly treated with the group.
“We believe that the decision did not fully take into account the complete breakdown of the trust that the members experienced towards Ador,” NJZ said in a statement. “We did not have enough options to fully present the factual background to the court.”
Ador, who challenges the Group’s claims on harassment, welcomed what he called by the court’s decision to “confirm his status of exclusive agency management agencies of members of News.”
“With our status of exclusive Newjeans agency, we are now legally confirmed, we are fully dedicated to supporting the artists who go ahead,” the statement said. “We impatiently anticipate a meeting with artists for a cordial conversation at the earliest occasion.”
Both Ador and Newjeans confirmed that the group will participate in the ComplexCon Festival in Hong Kong this weekend.
Newjeans and Ador have been involved in a dramatic altercation that has enchanted their fans since August 2024. The dispute is focused on Min Hee-Jin, Executive Producer of Girl. Hybe, the home company Ador, replaced Mrs. Min as the ADORA CEO last year. Members of Newjeans published the public with their request to return Mrs. Min. When Hybe refused, the group decided to leave Ador.
Hybe is also the home of BTS, another global K-POP sensation.
