ADOR Files Lawsuit Against NewJeans Following Contract Termination Declaration

The K-pop group NewJeans has declared the termination of their exclusive contract with ADOR, prompting the company to take legal action. On May 5, ADOR announced that they filed a lawsuit at the Seoul Central District Court on May 3 to legally confirm the validity of their exclusive contract with NewJeans.

The company expressed that they did not wish for issues with their artists to be resolved through legal means, but felt it necessary to clarify that an exclusive contract cannot be unilaterally terminated based on one party's claims. They emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy trust relationship between the company and its artists, which is fundamental to the growth of the K-pop industry and Korean pop culture as a whole.

ADOR further explained that they aim to prevent misunderstandings among artists regarding the legality of the contract termination, which could lead to violations of the existing contract and unintended consequences for industry stakeholders.

The company clarified that their proactive support for artists is based on mutual growth expectations and trust, which is the foundation of the exclusive contract. They warned that if this basic agreement is not upheld, the company's long-term investments and trust could be rendered ineffective, jeopardizing the systematic support and investment in the K-pop industry.

Despite the legal proceedings, ADOR remains committed to working with NewJeans. They stressed the need for open and honest discussions with the artists to resolve any misunderstandings, although they have yet to have the opportunity to communicate with them despite multiple requests.

Previously, on April 28, NewJeans members Kim Min-ji, Hani, Marsh Daniel, Kang Hae-rin, and Lee Hye-in held a press conference declaring that ADOR had violated their exclusive contract. They announced their contract termination without filing for a suspension of the contract's validity, a move seen as unprecedented in the music industry and interpreted as a strategy to continue their activities without legal hindrances. Some observers noted that ADOR was caught off guard by this approach.

In contrast, the Korea Management Association expressed concerns that the actions of NewJeans could disrupt the order of the music industry. Meanwhile, the members have expressed a desire to collaborate with Min, the former CEO of ADOR, who recently stepped down from his position and left HYBE, and have begun independent activities since April 29.