NewJeans Express Disappointment Over Court Ruling on Independent Activities

The K-pop group NewJeans has expressed their disappointment following a recent court ruling that restricts their independent activities. A lawyer known to be a fan of NewJeans, Go Sang-rok, has also voiced concerns regarding their situation.

On March 21, the Seoul Central District Court's Civil Division 50, led by Chief Judge Kim Sang-hoon, accepted a provisional injunction filed by Ador against the five members of NewJeans, prohibiting them from engaging in entertainment activities without prior approval from the agency.

The court stated, "The claims and materials submitted by the debtors (the five members of NewJeans) do not sufficiently prove that the creditor (Ador) violated significant obligations under the exclusive contract, leading to a breakdown of trust between the parties."

As a result of the ruling, the members are now unable to use their new name 'NJZ' or pursue independent activities without Ador's consent. Ador expressed gratitude for the court's decision, affirming their commitment to supporting the artists. However, NewJeans responded, "While we respect the court's decision, it does not fully consider the complete breakdown of trust between the members and Ador."

Following the ruling, the members shared their candid feelings in an exclusive interview with TIME magazine, describing the court's decision as "disappointing" and expressing that they did not expect such issues in the K-pop industry to change overnight. They remarked, "This is just another stage in our journey compared to everything we have experienced so far. Perhaps this is the current reality in Korea, which is why we believe change and growth are necessary."

They also noted, "It feels as if Korea wants to make us revolutionaries," highlighting their determination to maintain their identity as NJZ and continue their independent activities. They have been actively communicating through their NJZ social media accounts and have expressed intentions to release new music, despite concerns from fans and the public.

In the online community, lawyer Go Sang-rok, known as a dedicated fan of NewJeans, criticized their approach following the court's decision, stating, "It’s time to wake up from the dream." He cautioned that adopting such an attitude immediately after the court's ruling could lead to accusations of dishonesty and attacking fellow colleagues.

He emphasized that true reform requires respect and sacrifice towards seniors and peers in the industry, and that simply disregarding contracts and seeking to criticize the system is not a viable path forward. He expressed concern over the group's current trajectory, suggesting that if they continue to dismiss the legal framework, they may find themselves in a precarious position.

Despite the court's ruling favoring Ador, NewJeans remains determined to pursue their legal battle, with a main lawsuit to confirm the validity of their exclusive contract still ongoing. They plan to clarify that the contract was legally terminated during a hearing scheduled for April 3.

While they have indicated they will not return to Ador, the future of NewJeans' independent activities remains uncertain as they prepare to participate in the upcoming ComplexCon in Hong Kong on March 23.