NewJeans Maintains Popularity Amid Ongoing Contract Dispute, Named Top Artist of the Year

Despite the prolonged contract dispute between NewJeans and their agency Ador, the group's popularity remains strong among younger audiences. On December 23, 2024, Korea Gallup announced that NewJeans and Lim Young-woong were selected as the top artists of the year. This recognition comes after a survey conducted from July to November, which included 5,281 participants aged 13 and older across South Korea (excluding Jeju).

The situation escalated when NewJeans members unilaterally declared on November 28 that their contract with Ador was terminated. They have since launched a separate social media channel to continue their activities independently, raising concerns within the music industry about the potential weakening of contract validity.

On December 23, the Korea Startup Forum (KOSPO), a group focused on startups, expressed worries that NewJeans' actions undermine the principles of trust and responsibility in contracts. They stated that the ongoing conflict between HYBE, Ador's parent company, and NewJeans could severely damage the investment ecosystem in the industry.

The Korea Management Federation also voiced concerns, arguing that NewJeans' disregard for contractual procedures suggests a lack of intent to maintain their agreement. They criticized the group's claims of contract termination as unreasonable, questioning how contracts could be upheld if they could be voided by mere declarations.

The Korea Entertainment Producers Association urged NewJeans to retract their irresponsible claims and return to normal activities, warning that their unilateral termination could set a dangerous precedent for the sustainability of the Korean entertainment industry.

Additionally, the Korea Music Content Association highlighted the issue of 'tampering,' which refers to discussions with other companies before a contract ends, suggesting that such actions could lead to sanctions against NewJeans. They announced plans to exclude albums and sales from companies involved in tampering from their charts, which are used as data for major music awards.

As the legal battle unfolds, Ador has filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of their contract with NewJeans, asserting that the agreement is effective until July 31, 2029. NewJeans, however, argues that the agency's prior breaches nullify the contract's validity. The court's decision may set a new precedent in the industry.

Despite the ongoing dispute, NewJeans continues to enjoy significant public recognition, particularly among younger demographics, where they garnered 25.5% support compared to Lim Young-woong's 33.9% among those aged 40 and above, according to Korea Gallup's findings.