A highly anticipated legal battle between ADOR, the agency behind K-pop sensation NewJeans, and the group members is set to begin this April.
According to legal sources on Thursday, the Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division 41, led by Judge Jeong Hoe Il, has scheduled the first hearing for April 3 in ADOR’s lawsuit seeking confirmation of the validity of its exclusive contract with NewJeans.
The drama unfolded last November when the NewJeans members held a press conference to announce that their exclusive contract with ADOR had been terminated. They revealed their intentions to reclaim the rights to the name NewJeans through legal action and pursue their careers independently.
The members also made it clear they have no plans to return to ADOR, emphasizing their commitment to working independently. They even announced plans to hold a contest for a new group name, preparing for any outcome in the ongoing legal proceedings.
In response, ADOR filed a lawsuit in December, seeking a court ruling that the exclusive contract with NewJeans remains valid. The agency also filed an injunction to block the group members from signing independent advertising contracts or participating in activities outside ADOR’s control, aiming to preserve its standing as the group’s management company.
At the time, ADOR expressed regret, stating, “We find it unfortunate that the members are attempting independent activities, such as soliciting a new group name, before receiving a legal judgment. This could be seen as a serious breach of contract.”
NewJeans responded with their own statement, revealing they had appointed Min Hee Jin—the former CEO of ADOR and the creator of NewJeans—along with the prominent law firm Sejong as their legal representatives to oppose ADOR’s injunction request. This signals their intent to take a firm stand in the ongoing legal dispute.
Meanwhile, Min Hee Jin, who played a key role in forming NewJeans, is also involved in a legal battle with HYBE, the parent company of ADOR. She filed a lawsuit to terminate a shareholder agreement, and after the first hearing on January 23, the second hearing is scheduled for April 17.