NewJeans Members' Appeal Against Court Ruling on Independent Activities Denied

The members of the K-pop group NewJeans (뉴진스) have faced a setback as their appeal against a court ruling prohibiting them from engaging in independent entertainment activities was rejected by the Seoul High Court on June 17, 2025. The court upheld the previous decision that granted a provisional injunction to their agency, Ador (어도어), which prevents the members from entering into advertising contracts or pursuing solo activities without the agency's consent.

The court emphasized the significant investment, support, and training required for idol groups to debut successfully, stating that if members were allowed to unilaterally pursue independent activities, it would result in severe losses for the agency due to the forfeiture of prior investments.

The dispute began last August when Ador dismissed former CEO Min Hee-jin, leading the members to demand her reinstatement. When their requests were ignored, they notified Ador in November of their intention to terminate their exclusive contracts, claiming a breakdown of trust due to the agency's breach of contract obligations.

Following this, the members changed their group name from NewJeans to NJZ and began signing independent advertising contracts. In response, Ador filed a lawsuit in January 2025 to prevent these independent activities. In March, the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of Ador, stating that the members could not engage in entertainment activities without prior approval from the agency.

The high court reiterated that while the members may feel a sense of loss or unfair treatment compared to other idol groups, adhering to their exclusive contracts is a fundamental obligation. Additionally, the court ruled that if the members violate this injunction and engage in independent activities, they would be liable to pay Ador 1 billion KRW (approximately $850,000) for each instance of breach.

This ongoing legal battle highlights the complexities of K-pop contracts and the challenges faced by idols in navigating their careers within the industry.