A legal battle is brewing between ADOR and the popular K-Pop group, NewJeans. Amidst this conflict, ADOR has issued a formal request to media outlets, urging them to use the group’s official name, “NewJeans,” and not the recently announced “NJZ.”
The Name Change Controversy
The controversy erupted after NewJeans announced on February 7th that they had changed their group name to NJZ. The group even revealed plans to release new music under the new moniker on March 23rd and participate in ComplexCon in Hong Kong. During a live broadcast, members Minji and Hyein expressed their excitement about the change, stating,
“We will reveal our debut track as NJZ on March 23. I’m both excited and nervous
and
“As NJZ, we’ll continue to show something new, just as we always have.”
ADOR’s Legal Response
ADOR, however, maintains that the name change is a breach of their exclusive contract with NewJeans. In a statement, ADOR explained,
“The members of NewJeans have announced plans to operate under a name that was not agreed upon with ADOR, causing confusion among reporters. The exclusive contract between the NewJeans members and ADOR is still legally valid. Claims of contract termination are unilateral.”
The company further stated,
“We have filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the contract and are seeking an injunction to maintain ADOR’s position as the group’s management. We respectfully request that reporters use the official team name, ‘NewJeans’, which is based on the valid contract.”
The Importance of Exclusive Contracts
ADOR emphasized the significance of exclusive contracts within the entertainment industry, stressing the need for accurate reporting and cooperation from media outlets.
“We are doing our best to resolve the confusion quickly and to deliver great music and content to fans,” the statement concluded.
The Ongoing Legal Battle
This isn’t the first legal move from ADOR. They filed a lawsuit on December 3, 2024, with the Seoul Central District Court to confirm the validity of their exclusive contract with NewJeans. Furthermore, on January 13, 2025, they sought an injunction to prevent the group from signing separate advertising deals. The first hearing regarding these legal matters is scheduled for March 7th.
The Future of NewJeans
The conflict between ADOR and NewJeans raises questions about the group’s future. While the members have expressed their enthusiasm for performing as NJZ, ADOR’s legal challenges could significantly impact their plans. The upcoming court hearing will likely play a crucial role in determining the outcome of this dispute and the future of the group’s name and activities.
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