A South Korean court has ruled against the globally successful K-pop group NewJeans in their legal battle to cut ties with their record label, Ador.
The ruling prohibits the group, which had recently rebranded as NJZ and begun scheduling their own appearances, from conducting any independent activities.
This includes making music, signing advertising deals, or taking on projects without the approval of Ador, reinforcing the label’s contractual authority over the group.
The dispute between NewJeans and Ador erupted last year when the group accused the label of mistreatment and announced their departure.
Following this, Ador sued to enforce their contractual agreements, arguing that NewJeans had attempted to negotiate independent deals without its consent.
In January, Ador escalated the legal battle by filing an injunction to prevent the group from continuing their activities outside the company’s oversight. Despite the court’s decision, NewJeans has vowed to challenge the ruling and pursue further legal action.
One immediate consequence of the ruling is the uncertainty surrounding the release of the group’s upcoming song, which was scheduled for Sunday.
Without a resolution, the group faces significant legal and financial obstacles if they proceed with any independent projects under the NJZ name.
Ador has maintained that any attempts by NewJeans to establish a separate brand would result in severe financial penalties due to a breach of contract, further complicating the group’s future plans.
The conflict between NewJeans and Ador can be traced back to August 2024, when Hybe, the parent company of Ador, allegedly removed NewJeans’ mentor, Min Hee-Jin, from her role. The group reacted strongly, demanding her reinstatement and accusing the company of deliberately sabotaging their careers.
Tensions escalated when one of the members, Hanni, publicly alleged that she had experienced workplace harassment while under Ador’s management.
The situation culminated in November when the band held a press conference announcing their formal departure, arguing that both Hybe and Ador had failed to uphold their responsibilities as their representatives.
In the court ruling issued on Friday, the judges determined that NewJeans had not provided sufficient evidence to prove that Ador had violated its contractual obligations.
The court emphasized that Ador had fulfilled most of its duties, including making payments to the group. “If NewJeans unilaterally terminates their contract, Ador would suffer great financial harm.
Additionally, if the group operates under a new name, it could cause severe damage to the NewJeans brand and Ador’s reputation,” the ruling stated.
Despite the court’s decision, NewJeans expressed their disappointment and maintained that they were not given an adequate opportunity to present their full case.
In a statement released shortly after the ruling, the group declared, “We plan to challenge today’s decision… during which we will raise additional legal issues and submit further supporting evidence.”
They added, “Regardless of this ruling, we can no longer remain with a management that has disrespected our identities and undermined our achievements.”
While the battle over their contract is far from over, the five members of NewJeans—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—have continued to assert their independence.
They recently launched a new Instagram account under the name “jeanzforfree” to connect with their fans and maintain their presence in the industry. The group remains steadfast in their efforts to reclaim their name and career, stating that even if they lose the legal battle against Ador, they will always be “NewJeans at heart.”
The group, known for their signature blend of 1990s R&B and sugar-coated pop melodies, has enjoyed immense success, ranking as the eighth biggest-selling act in the world in 2023 and receiving a nomination for Best Group at the MTV Awards last year. Their future, however, now hinges on the outcome of their ongoing legal fight.
