NewJeans Declares Termination of Contract with Ador Amidst Dispute

On November 28, 2024, NewJeans held an emergency press conference in Galaxy Hall at the Space Share Samsung Station Center in Gangnam, Seoul, where they announced their intention to unilaterally terminate their exclusive contract with Ador and HYBE. In response, Ador expressed regret, stating that the reasons provided by NewJeans do not constitute valid grounds for contract termination, indicating that a prolonged conflict is likely.

During the press conference, all members of NewJeans were present to share their perspectives. Member Hani stated, "NewJeans is an artist under Ador, and Ador has the obligation to protect us. However, they have shown neither the will nor the ability to do so. We believe that remaining with them would only waste our time and continue our mental distress. Most importantly, we see no professional benefit in staying, so we all feel there is no reason to remain."

Minji added that the contract with Ador would officially end at midnight on November 29. She criticized the ongoing situation, saying, "HYBE and Ador are playing word games, trying to separate themselves. They claim that HYBE is at fault, not Ador, which they argue cannot be grounds for contract violation. However, HYBE and Ador are essentially one entity," highlighting the breakdown of trust due to sudden dismissals of staff they had previously worked with.

Haerin emphasized, "We have not violated the contract, nor have we ever. We have been doing our best, and I believe there is no reason for us to pay any penalties. The responsibility for this situation lies with Ador and HYBE."

Additionally, Hyein mentioned concerns about the use of the NewJeans name, stating, "After midnight, we may not be able to use the name NewJeans for a while, regardless of our intentions. However, the essence remains unchanged, and we have no intention of giving up. We will strive to use the NewJeans name fully after the contract is terminated."

Despite their declaration to terminate the contract, NewJeans plans to fulfill their previously scheduled commitments. Daniel clarified, "Once the contract is terminated, we will no longer be artists under Ador. However, we will proceed with the schedules that have already been arranged and contracted."

Following NewJeans' announcement, Ador quickly issued a statement expressing their disappointment. They stated, "We regret that the press conference regarding the contract termination was planned and executed without sufficient review, even before receiving a response to our notice."

Ador maintained that they have not violated the contract and that claims of broken trust do not justify termination. They asserted that the exclusive contract remains valid and requested that NewJeans continue to work with them as before.

Ador also mentioned that they had repeatedly requested meetings with the artists, hoping for an open dialogue. They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting NewJeans in their activities and helping them grow as global artists.

With NewJeans declaring the termination of their contract and Ador still viewing them as their artists, significant time is expected to be required to resolve the situation. Both parties assert that they have not violated the contract, making legal disputes likely.

Minji commented on the situation, stating, "The request for a suspension of effectiveness is based on Ador and HYBE violating the contract, which leads to its termination. Once the contract is terminated, its effectiveness ceases, so there should be no hindrance to our activities. We believe there is no need to file for a suspension."

However, the NewJeans members cannot unilaterally decide or notify the termination date. While they claim that Ador's contract violations justify their termination and that they bear no penalty responsibility, they still have about five years left on their contract, suggesting that disputes over responsibilities and penalties are likely to ensue. If the conflict drags on, it could disrupt the group's activities contrary to their expectations.