Legal Battle Between NewJeans and HYBE-ADOR Takes a New Turn
On March 21, 2025, the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of ADOR, granting the agency’s request to prohibit NewJeans from engaging in independent activities.
The decision comes amid an ongoing dispute between NewJeans (now referred to as NJZ in legal filings) and ADOR, which claims that the members have been violating their exclusive contracts since last November.
With this ruling, NewJeans members are legally blocked from signing advertising contracts, writing songs, composing music, or performing without ADOR’s approval.
Key Points of the Court Ruling
The court ruled in favor of ADOR, stating that NewJeans cannot sign contracts for advertising, music, or any entertainment activities without ADOR’s approval.
ADOR had initially requested an injunction only against advertising contracts, but later expanded it to cover all entertainment-related activities, including songwriting and performances.
The ruling supports ADOR’s stance that NewJeans’ exclusive contracts were not properly terminated and that their recent activities violated contractual obligations.
This decision contradicts earlier efforts by NewJeans’ parents to suspend the exclusive contracts with HYBE, which the court previously dismissed.
NJZ’s Official Response
Following the ruling, NJZ (NewJeans’ legal team) issued a strong response via Instagram, criticizing the decision and vowing to continue their legal battle.
Full Translation of NJZ’s Statement:
Hello, this is NJZ.
Today, the court issued an injunction. We at NJZ respect the court’s decision, but we believe that the ruling did not fully consider the fact that our trust in ADOR was completely destroyed.
The court made this decision in about two weeks after the hearing on March 7, 2025, due to the urgency of the case. As a result, we were not given enough opportunity to present all the specific facts that prove our position.
Additionally, there is an asymmetry of information—ADOR and HYBE have access to all of our entertainment-related records, while we had to contact each party individually to gather evidence, which was difficult due to fear of retaliation.
Regarding today’s ruling, we plan to file an objection and present additional explanatory materials in court.
The Truth Will Be Revealed
Up until the termination of our exclusive contract, we faithfully fulfilled our obligations, yet ADOR and HYBE have consistently treated us unfairly and discriminated against us, completely destroying trust. We believe that it’s only a matter of time before the truth becomes clear.
This ruling is only a temporary decision. The main lawsuit between us and ADOR to determine the validity of our contract termination is still ongoing. We will once again state in court on April 3 that our exclusive contracts are no longer legally binding.
Unlike the injunction process, the main lawsuit allows us to use more legal tools to secure key evidence, which we believe will strongly support our case.
We Cannot Stay With an Agency That Insults and Devalues Us
We at NJZ cannot remain with an agency that has insulted our character and denied our achievements, regardless of financial issues. This lawsuit is not about money—it’s about protecting our values and human rights.
Due to this situation, we have decided to cancel our upcoming “Complex Concert” scheduled for March 23, as we do not want our fans or staff to suffer any unexpected harm.
Please continue to support and watch over us. We will do our best to fight for justice and regain our freedom.
Fans React: Shock, Anger, and Support
The ruling and NJZ’s response have sparked a wave of reactions from fans and industry insiders:
Many fans are worried that NJZ is being silenced and controlled by ADOR and HYBE.
Others believe that the court ruling suggests that NJZ’s contract termination might not have been legally valid.
Supporters of NJZ argue that ADOR and HYBE have abused their power to suppress the members.
“This is heartbreaking… they’re fighting against a giant corporation.”
“If the contract was properly terminated, why is the court siding with ADOR?”
“The girls sound so tired… I hope they can be free soon.”
The cancellation of the March 23rd Complex Concert has also disappointed fans, who were hoping to see NJZ perform despite the legal troubles.
What’s Next for NJZ?
- April 3, 2025 – NJZ will return to court to argue that their exclusive contracts with ADOR are no longer valid.
- More legal evidence will be presented, which could challenge the recent court ruling.
- If NJZ wins the main lawsuit, they could regain full freedom from ADOR—but if they lose, their future may remain uncertain.
For now, NJZ remains legally bound to ADOR, unable to sign new contracts or perform independently. Fans and the industry will be watching closely as the legal battle continues to unfold.
Final Thoughts
This ruling marks a major turning point in the HYBE-ADOR conflict, with NJZ stuck in the middle. Whether they will ultimately win their freedom or remain under ADOR’s control depends on the outcome of the main lawsuit in April.
One thing is clear: NJZ will keep fighting, and their fans will stand by them every step of the way.
Source: Yonhap
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