The ongoing legal battle surrounding NewJeans‘ attempt to terminate their exclusive contract with ADOR has taken numerous twists and turns. While the narrative initially painted a picture of unified parental support for the group’s decision, recent revelations have shed light on a significant dissenting voice: Hyein‘s father.
For weeks, speculation swirled around potential discord amongst the parents, particularly after court proceedings highlighted discrepancies in the exercise of parental rights for the group’s minor members, Hyein and Haerin. Initial rumors even pointed towards Haerin’s mother as the opposing party. However, investigative reporting by New Daily has now clarified that it is Hyein’s father who stands against the contract termination, leading to a civil lawsuit with his wife over legal guardianship.
The Chosun Ilbo‘s earlier reports detailed the court’s concerns regarding proper representation for the minor members, emphasizing the need for parental consensus in such significant legal matters.
NewJeans first informed ADOR of their intention to terminate their contract in November 2024. While Hyein’s father seemingly aligned with this decision initially, his subsequent reversal and legal action against his wife indicate a significant shift in his perspective.
The family court’s ruling on March 14, 2025, which granted Hyein’s mother sole authority as her legal guardian in the contract lawsuit, appears to have settled the immediate legal hurdle regarding representation. Moving forward, Hyein’s mother will act as her legal representative in the ongoing battle with ADOR.
In response to the burgeoning rumors and speculation, NewJeans‘ families collectively issued a statement on April 4th. This statement aimed to dispel any notions of internal conflict amongst the parents regarding the group’s decision. They firmly asserted that all five members of NewJeans were united in their desire to part ways with ADOR and that no legal action would proceed without the unanimous agreement of all members.
Furthermore, the families explicitly denied any opposition from Haerin’s parents, stating their full alignment with the group’s stance. They pleaded with the public to refrain from speculating about personal family matters, emphasizing that these internal disputes should not be intertwined with the legal battle against ADOR.
As the lawsuit against ADOR continues to unfold, the focus will likely shift back to the core legal arguments.
