The ongoing legal dispute between NewJeans and their agency ADOR is reaching a pivotal moment today. The Seoul Central District Court is set to announce its verdict regarding the contentious exclusive contract between the two parties. This ruling comes after a lengthy legal battle that began last November.
Court Ruling Details
At 9:50 a.m. KST on October 30, the Civil Agreement Division 41, overseen by Judge Jeong Hoe-il, will make a crucial decision. The court will address ADOR’s request to affirm the validity of the exclusive contracts with all five members of NewJeans.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict ignited during an emergency press conference held by NewJeans in November 2022. The group accused ADOR of breaching their agreement and declared a desire to terminate their exclusive contract. They announced plans to pursue independent activities under a new moniker, NJZ.
In response, ADOR filed a lawsuit in December 2022, arguing that the exclusive contract remained valid. The agency sought an injunction to prevent the members from engaging in any solo activities or signing commercial deals without approval.
Court Proceedings and Injunction
- In March 2023, the court granted ADOR’s injunction, allowing the agency to retain management rights over NewJeans.
- The court ruled that NewJeans could not engage in independent activities until the final verdict.
- NewJeans’ appeals against this decision were dismissed.
- Any violation of the contract during this period would incur a penalty of 1 billion KRW (approximately $730,000 USD) per incident.
Consequently, NewJeans suspended all group activities as the legal proceedings unfolded. Despite attempts at mediation in August and September, both sides could not reach a resolution. NewJeans stated that the relationship with ADOR was damaged irreparably, while ADOR contended there were no grounds for contract termination.
Future Prospects
Speculation surrounding NewJeans escalated with the revelation that Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of ADOR, had launched a new agency named OK. This development has fueled rumors about NewJeans’ future moves.
As the decisive verdict looms, attention is focused on its implications. The court’s ruling has the potential to reshape the future of NewJeans and conclude nearly a year of legal strife with their former agency, ADOR.
