NewJeans and Ador Begin Lengthy Legal Battle Over Contract Termination

The members of NewJeans have announced their intention to terminate their exclusive contract with Ador, leading to a sharp escalation in tensions as Ador quickly countered their claims. On November 13, NewJeans sent a formal notice to Ador demanding that all significant breaches of their contract be rectified within 14 days, or they would proceed with termination. The notice outlined several grievances, including comments made in a HYBE document suggesting that NewJeans could be replaced, a lack of action regarding disrespect shown to member Hani by a manager from another label (Belift Lab), and the belittling of NewJeans' achievements by a HYBE PR executive. Additionally, the notice addressed the unauthorized release of photos and videos from their trainee days, ongoing issues with the undervaluation of their accomplishments, and unnecessary disputes with director Shin Woo-seok, which have led to the loss of previous works.

In response, Ador issued a statement on November 27 regarding the incident involving Hani, expressing hope that Belift Lab would treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves and avoid unnecessary controversies surrounding Ador artists.

On November 28, the five members of NewJeans—Kim Min-ji, Hani, Marsh Daniel, Kang Hae-rin, and Lee Hye-in—held an emergency press conference at the Space Share Samsung Station Galaxy Hall in Gangnam, Seoul, announcing their decision to terminate the contract effective midnight on November 29. They criticized both HYBE and Ador for attempting to separate their responsibilities, stating, "As everyone knows, HYBE and Ador are essentially one entity. The Ador we worked with has changed significantly, and we cannot accept the argument that we should maintain our contract with an Ador that has lost our trust."

The members expressed frustration over the lack of genuine efforts to address their concerns, stating, "The actions taken in response to our notice have been merely superficial, and we feel there is no willingness to meet our demands. Therefore, we will terminate the contract as planned."

They also addressed the issue of potential penalties and trademark rights, asserting, "We have not violated the contract, and we believe there is no reason for us to pay any penalties. The current situation is a result of breaches by Ador and HYBE, and they bear the responsibility. After midnight, we may not be able to use the name NewJeans for a while, but we are determined to secure our rights to the name, which holds significant meaning for us."

The members expressed a desire to work with former CEO Min Hee-jin, stating, "We plan to continue with our scheduled activities and would like to collaborate with CEO Min if possible."

However, they appeared unprepared for any legal actions such as injunctions, claiming, "The request for a stay of enforcement is based on the breaches by Ador and HYBE, and once the contract is terminated, its validity will cease, allowing us to continue our activities without hindrance."

Shortly after NewJeans' press conference, Ador responded, expressing regret over the members' decision to hold a press conference without proper consideration of their reply to the notice. Ador maintained that they have not violated the contract and that claims of broken trust do not constitute grounds for termination. They reiterated that the exclusive contract remains valid and expressed a desire to meet with the members to discuss matters openly.

The stark divide between NewJeans and Ador remains evident, marking the beginning of what could be a protracted legal battle.