The legal battle between the popular K-Pop group NewJeans and their management label, ADOR, is heating up as the date for the first court hearing has been set. This dispute, which began last November, centers around the termination of the exclusive contracts between the five members – Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein – and ADOR.
Provisional Injunction Hearing Set for March
A hearing regarding the provisional injunction filed by ADOR against the members of NewJeans is scheduled for March 7th. This hearing will take place at the 50th civil division of the Seoul Central District Court. ADOR‘s injunction seeks to compel NewJeans to return to their duties under the label and prevent them from engaging in independent advertisement contracts. ADOR previously stated that the members were “attempting to carry out independent activities, such as holding a contest to decide on a temporary group name,” which they deemed “a severe breach of contract.”
Lawsuit to Verify Contract Validity
In addition to the injunction, ADOR filed a lawsuit in December of last year to verify the validity of the exclusive contracts with NewJeans. The first court hearing for this lawsuit is scheduled for April 3rd at the 41st civil division of the Seoul Central District Court.
Background of the Dispute
The legal dispute between NewJeans and ADOR formally commenced on November 28th of last year. The members held a press conference to announce the termination of their exclusive contracts, claiming that ADOR had failed to fulfill its obligations as a management label responsible for protecting its artists. They cited this alleged failure as a valid reason for terminating their contracts.
This legal battle unfolds alongside other related proceedings. A court hearing for the ongoing shareholder agreement termination lawsuit between former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin and HYBE Labels took place on January 23rd KST, with a second hearing scheduled for April 17th.
Netizen Reactions
News of the upcoming court dates has sparked considerable interest among netizens. Some comments reflect a sense of anticipation for the legal process to unfold, with one netizen stating,
“The girls may finally learn how the real world works in the Court sessions.. the way they handled their situation is just really unwise.”
Others point to the complexities of the situation, noting,
“No matter how much Min Hee Jin shaped NewJeans, the reality is that HYBE owns ADOR, which means they own NewJeans as a brand, legally and financially. Unless she can prove some serious foul play, HYBE holds the upper hand in any legal battle over control.”
The legal proceedings promise to be closely watched as the future of NewJeans and their relationship with ADOR hangs in the balance.
What are your thoughts on a court date FINALLY being set? Who do you think is going to win? Let us know in the comment section below!
