News Hybe/MHJ Civil War Megathread (37 Viewers)

[Selfmate]

The row that rocked K-pop: NewJeans on courage of speaking out

"It took a huge amount of courage to speak out," NewJeans have told the BBC in their first interview since a court blocked their attempt to leave their record label, in a case that has rocked the K-pop industry.

"This fight is necessary. Although it will be extremely difficult and arduous, we will keep doing what we have done so far and speak up," said Haerin, one of the members of the five-piece.

"We thought it was important to tell the world about what we've been through. All the choices we've made so far have been the best choices we could have made."

NewJeans looked invincible in the charts when they launched what was an unusual rebellion in the high-pressure, tightly-controlled world of K-pop. Hanni, Hyein, Haerin, Danielle and Minji stunned South Korea and fans everywhere with their decision in November to split from Ador, the label that launched them.

They alleged mistreatment, workplace harassment and an attempt to "undermine their careers", which Ador denies. It sued to enforce their seven-year contract, which is set to expire in 2029, and sought an injunction against any commercial activities by the group.

On Friday, a South Korean court granted it, ordering NewJeans to stop all "independent" activities, including song releases and advertising deals, while the case was still under way. NewJeans has since challenged the injunction in court.

Friday's ruling was a "shock", the group told the BBC.

"Some people think that we're famous enough to do whatever we want and say whatever we please. But the truth is, it's not like that at all," Hyein said. "We held it in for a long time, and only now have we finally spoken up about what we think, what we feel and the unfairness we've experienced."

The K-pop industry has repeatedly come under fire for the pressure it puts on its stars not only to perform and succeed, but to appear perfect. But rarely do conflicts spill into the public, exposing stars' grievances and rifts with their labels.

NewJeans' dramatic announcement last year followed a long and public spat with Ador and its parent company, Hybe - South Korea's biggest music label, whose client list includes K-pop royalty such as BTS and Seventeen.

Ador told the BBC in a statement that the contract with NewJeans still stands, adding that "most of their claims have risen from misunderstandings". The court said that NewJeans did not "sufficiently prove" that Ador had violated the contract, adding that the label had upheld "most of its duties, including payment".

The girls were rehearsing for a performance in Hong Kong, when news of the ruling dropped. They found out when Minji got a worried message from her mother: "She asked me, 'are you okay?' And I was like 'what happened?'"

"I was stunned," Minji says. So were the others when she told them. "At first I thought I didn't hear her properly," Danielle says. "We were all kind of in shock."

This was their second of two interviews with the BBC in as many weeks. In the first interview, which happened before the ruling, the group had been excited to release their new single, Pit Stop - their first since they announced their break from Ador and renamed themselves NJZ.

They spoke about how they coped with a difficult period, including finding comfort in cooking. "I'm not really good at it but it's kind of healing," Minji had said, before promising to cook an "amazing dinner" for the group.

In the second interview, which was 24 hours after the ruling, they seemed disheartened and unsettled, less sure of what was to come. "If we knew we were gonna go through this, maybe we would have chosen…" Hanni trailed off as she teared up.

Seconds later, she continued: "Even if we do everything we can and it doesn't work out the way we hope it does, then we'll just have to leave it to time. I'm sure time would figure it out for us."

The following night, they took to the stage in Hong Kong and, despite the court order, performed Pit Stop under their new name. But the evening, which they had pitched to fans as a fresh start, ended in tears as they told the crowd they were going on a hiatus.

"It wasn't any easy decision to make," Hyein said on stage, as each of them took turns to address their fans. "But at the moment for us, it's about protecting ourselves, so that we can come back stronger."

Just three years into their debut, the future of the young stars - they are aged between 16 and 20 - is now in question.

But they tell the BBC that this is not the end of the road for them as they "find more ways" forward. With the legal battle expected to last for months, if not years, Minji says that gives them time to plan what they want to do next.

Ever since they debuted in July 2022, NewJeans have delivered remarkable success with each new release - OMG, Ditto, Super Shy, Attention. A year on, they were the eighth biggest-selling act in the world.

Critics called them a "game-changer" as their uniquely playful blend of 1990s R&B and sugar-coated pop melodies broke through a K-pop market dominated by electronic beats. And their breezy dance moves stood out among super-synchronised videos.

They were still on the rise when Min Hee-jin, their long-time mentor and Ador's former boss, began trading accusations publicly with Hybe. Min had launched Ador and NewJeans, before she sold Hybe a majority stake in the agency.

Hybe was now accusing her of plotting Ador's takeover and Min, in an emotional press conference, accused them of undermining NewJeans by launching another girl group with a similar style. The fight got uglier and Min left the company, alleging she was forced out.

That's when NewJeans broke their silence - they demanded Min's return in two weeks in a livestream.

They were not able to contact her for a while, Danielle told the BBC in the first interview: "We didn't know what was happening and we didn't have a way to support her. That itself was a hard thing because she was always there for us and… in a way a person to look up to."

Ador had said Min could not return as CEO, but could continue as an internal director and NewJeans' producer. When Min didn't return, NewJeans announced that they were leaving Ador and accused the label of not meeting other demands: an apology for alleged bullying and actions against what they claimed were controversial internal reports.

Ador, which denies all these allegations, appears to blame Min for their dispute with NewJeans. "The core of this issue lies in the label's ex-management providing distorted explanations to their artists, leading to misunderstandings. They can be fully addressed and resolved upon the members' return to the label," Ador told the BBC in a statement.

In the months since, Hanni, a Vietnamese-Australian, testified in tears to South Korean lawmakers in an inquiry into workplace harassment. "I came to the realisation that this wasn't just a feeling. I was honestly convinced that the company hated us," she told them, after describing several incidents where she said the group felt undermined and bullied.

NewJeans' case was dismissed because the labour ministry said K-pop stars did not qualify as workers and were not entitled to the same rights.

Then in December, NewJeans took another rare step by supporting fans who were calling for the impeachment of South Korea's disgraced president, Yoon Suk Yeol who had briefly imposed martial law - the group provided free food and drinks to fans who showed up at the huge protest rallies.

With each round of publicity, there was also criticism, much of it involving their age. Some said they had "crossed the line", while others called them "stupid and reckless," and even "ungrateful" for picking a fight with Ador. Others questioned if they were making their own decisions.

Being young doesn't mean they should be taken less seriously, the group says. "That's an easy way to devalue the fact that we are actually trying to do something," Hanni says. "The decisions we've made in the past year have been decided through a very, very large amount of discussion between us."

As the dispute has dragged on, the critics have got louder, dubbing the girls as troublemakers rather than game-changers. Following the ruling, which their critics welcomed, NewJeans says they have been "very aware of the intense scrutiny and judgment" ever since they held that press conference last year.

"There hasn't been a single moment when we've expressed our opinions without worry or tension," Minji says. "We've thought more than anyone else about how much responsibility each of our actions carries, and we're currently bearing that responsibility ourselves."

It's not clear how long their hiatus will last. Ador says it hopes to meet with the group soon to discuss the future, but NewJeans insists it don't feel protected enough to go back.

Their lawsuit with Ador will return to the headlines next week when the hearings begin - and so will all five of them.

The one thing that seems constant is their determination to get through this together.

Two weeks ago, Hanni had said: "We've always said to each other, if one person doesn't want to do it, then we're not going to do it. It has to be all all five of us that agrees to do it. That's how we've gotten here and that's how we are going to get to the end."

On Saturday, she repeated: "We're gonna get through it."

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxq309kexeo

 

[Selfmate]

Some of it is in English

Group Newzins (NJZ) has revealed why it has suspended its activities.

On the 26th, BBC News Korea released a video on its official YouTube channel titled "Why Newzins, NZ activities were suspended."

On this day, the BBC released two interviews with Odor before and after the sentence of provisional injunction. "The decisions we've made over the past year have all been made through tremendous discussions within us," Hani said. "To be honest, it's not convenient to keep bringing this up. It includes stories from other teams, and we don't want to have any impact on them. There is no reason or need. (But) people wouldn't know if they didn't say their thoughts and feelings publicly. I think people would have believed only what was reported in the media," he said.

Min-ji said, "Every time we have to speak up, many places cover our story. Of course, it was scary, and I'm worried a lot about my life in the future," he said, explaining that he chose to break up with his agency Adore through a lot of worries.

The BBC said, "Some say 'adults are influencing' behind you. "I think (the allegations) are a way of taking light of the fact that in some ways we're actually doing something to solve this problem because we're young," Hani said. And then, "People easily say, 'They're young. They can't have made their own decision. But that doesn't mean we take the situation less seriously or are contemplating it less. I always said this to each other. 'If you don't want one, we won't.' We could only choose if all five of us agreed," he said, stressing that all the members are gathering their opinions.

Daniel also said, "As I went through this situation myself in 2024, I tried to hide everything quietly at the time. I tried to suppress my feelings and just ignore what was going on around me. Because I was preparing for the comeback when the situation started. But at some point, it came to the point where (the suppressed emotions) were about to explode. And I was heartbroken," he said, explaining the reason why he had to file a legal dispute.

On the 21st, a request for provisional injunction against the preservation of the agency's status and the conclusion of an advertising contract was cited by the court.

The members who conducted the interview again after the court ruling expressed their feelings. "I really expected a different outcome, but I remember everyone was really shocked (by watching the news)," Daniel said.

Hye-in said, "I think there are enough people who think that we are famous, that we can do whatever we want, and that we are in a position to do whatever we want to say," adding, "We've been holding it in and just now we've spoken out about the absurdity we've experienced, but honestly, the situation is not flowing in our favor socially now. But I think the situation itself speaks to that fact. We spoke with tremendous courage," he stressed. Danielle also said, "We just want to keep working. We want to continue the work we love without being disturbed and without lies and misunderstandings," he added.

"Our biggest fear is that we don't know if we can continue this," Hani said. That's why we keep moving forward. But this fear always lingers in the back of my mind. Anything can happen, and we never expected this to happen until we were trainees two years ago. I don't know what kind of future there will be. There might be a situation where I can't really be active anymore and I really want to avoid that. "Anything will happen, but I really want to avoid such a situation," he said.

Earlier, Newzins held an emergency press conference in November last year and said that the contract was terminated due to the violation of Adore's exclusive contract. After that, he announced his new group name, NJZ, and began his own activities.

In the meantime, Odor filed an injunction with the court to preserve the agency's status and prohibit the conclusion of advertising contracts. In the midst of this, on the 21st, the court decided to cite this. The court ruled that Newzins members should not engage in entertainment activities on their own or through third parties without prior approval or consent from Adore. Members filed an objection on the same day.

On the 23rd, Newzins took the stage of ComplexCon at the Asia World Expo in Hong Kong and said, "We decided to suspend all activities for a while in respect of the court's judgment. We know better than anyone that our choice will not be easy, but this is what protects us," he said, announcing the suspension of his activities.

Source: https://www.mk.co.kr/en/hot-issues/11274614

 

[Selfmate]

Inside The NewJeans Court Case And What It Means For The Future Of K-Pop

By now, K-pop fans are well-versed in the industry’s occasional shake-ups—contract disputes, surprise disbandments, and the kind of agency-artist tensions that make Hollywood’s legal battles look tame. But few court cases have garnered as much attention as the ongoing standoff between NewJeans and their label, Ador.

NewJeans is quickly becoming one of K-pop’s biggest girl bands thanks to their hits ‘Attention’ and ‘Hype Boy’ which blew up so fast they broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest K-Pop act to reach one billion streams on Spotify.

Last year, the band announced a rebrand, moving from the name ‘NewJeans’ to ‘NJZ’, which proved to be the first case for action from their label to pursue legal action. Here’s everything we know about the NewJeans legal battle.

The Rise Of NewJeans, K-Pop’s ‘It’ Girl Group
When NewJeans debuted in 2022, they quickly established themselves as more than just another girl group vying for space in the K-pop ecosystem. NewJeans felt like a cultural reset, and were quickly touted as the industry’s darlings. Leaning into a Y2K-infused aesthetic and an effortlessly cool sound that set them apart from their hyper-polished predecessors, the five-member group (comprising Hanni, Hyein, Haerin, Danielle and Minji) became a global K-pop phenomenon seemingly overnight.

With a Guinness World Record, brand deals with Chanel, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton, and a viral discography, in just two years, NewJeans had built an empire. And then came the rebrand.

From NewJeans To NJZ

In February, NewJeans made an unexpected move, announcing a rebrand to the name ‘NJZ’.

“Even though we have to leave our previous name behind us for a bit, we’re not fully moving on from it,” Hanni said in an interview with CNN at the time.

To fans, it was confusing. To the industry, it was a warning sign. When a group with this level of commercial success suddenly shifts gears, there’s always more happening behind the scenes. Then, Hanni hinted at a wider shift in the group’s overall sound and image which sparked further confusion.

“It’s definitely going to be very different to what people are familiar (with)… and the image that we debuted. Beforehand, we were very focused on being the kind of ‘girl next door’… So, we’re going for a (look that’s) a lot more sharp, a lot more bold.”

Speculation turned to reality when Ador, NewJeans’ label under Hybe (a South Korean multinational entertainment company), took legal action to prevent them from operating independently under the NJZ name. It wasn’t long before court filings confirmed the extent of the fracture—with Ador arguing that the members are still contractually bound to them, while reports suggested the group was pushing for greater autonomy.

How Did The NewJeans Court Case Start?
At the heart of the dispute is a battle for creative control—one that extends beyond NewJeans and into the higher echelons of their parent company, Hybe. The conflict first began brewing in early 2024, when Min Hee-jin, the group’s visionary producer and the then-CEO of Ador, found herself at odds with Hybe’s leadership over the band’s artistic direction.

In April last year, Hybe launched an internal audit, alleging that Min had attempted to stage a coup, seeking to sever Ador from Hybe entirely with the help of outside investors, according to Forbes. The fallout was swift—Min was dismissed from her role, and with her departure, the cracks in NewJeans’ relationship with their label became impossible to ignore.

By September, tensions reached boiling point when the group went live on YouTube for nearly half an hour, directly addressing their dissatisfaction with Ador’s management and advocating for Min’s reinstatement. They gave the label a two-week deadline to reverse their decision—ADOR refused.

Then, in November, the group made their most drastic move yet. In a surprise press conference, all five members announced they were terminating their contracts, citing both creative and ethical concerns. “Ador has neither the ability nor the will to protect NewJeans,” member Hanni told Korea JoongAng Daily, describing the psychological toll of remaining under the label’s control.

The NewJeans Court Case
The group’s label quickly launched legal proceedings, arguing that the members were still contractually bound and could not operate independently. In March 2025, the Seoul Central District Court ruled the case in favour of Ador, granting an injunction that reinforced the agency’s control over the NewJeans activities. Essentially, this means NewJeans can’t engage in outside projects without Ador’s approval. This includes brand collaborations.

Ador responded to the ruling in an official statement: “We sincerely thank the court for its fair decision to grant the preliminary injunction. With our status as NewJeans’ exclusive agency now legally confirmed, we are fully committed to supporting the artists moving forward.”

The case also shed light on the financial underpinnings of the dispute. Ador disclosed that it had invested approximately 21 billion won (around $14 million AUD) in launching NewJeans, with more than 12 billion won (around $8 million AUD) paid to the members since late 2023, reports Time. These figures complicate the narrative—what looks like a straightforward artist-vs-agency battle is also, at its core, a high-stakes business negotiation.

Why The NewJeans Court Case Matters
The NewJeans-Ador lawsuit isn’t just about one group—it’s indicative of a larger shift in the K-pop industry. For years, the conversation around idol contracts has centred on the rigid structures put in place by entertainment companies, many of which still hold near-total control over their artists’ branding, creative direction, and financial earnings.

“K-pop idols may appear cute, funny and shy in front of the camera, but their public personas are often manufactured,” writes Yael Tobón Uribe for The Link. “Their companies heavily monitor and control their behaviour, whether online or in person. Not to mention, they lack agency over their music and public image.”

It seems knowledge of the lack of agency K-pop stars are subjected to is becoming more apparent online as fans of the industry uncover some harsh realities. “These companies make sure their artists don’t have a life outside of the company building and their dorms,” says Annabelle Shania Gunawan per The Los Angeles Loyolan. “While some might argue that such control protects artists from scandals, such protection should not come at the sacrifice of a person’s freedom, individuality and mental well-being.”

And today’s idols are entering an era where individual influence matters more than ever. With members securing high-profile ambassadorships and cultivating massive personal followings, the industry is slowly beginning to reckon with a new reality: artists aren’t just company assets—they’re independent brands.

What Happens Next For NewJeans?
For now, NewJeans’ future as a group and their adjacent ambassadorship deals remains uncertain. The group has announced a hiatus, citing the “mental and emotional toll” of the legal battle, leaving fans to wonder whether they’ll return under the NewJeans name—or if they’re searching for ways around the injunction to secure the rebrand.

As per the court decision, Ador will continue to oversee all activity surrounding the group, including advertising contracts. The agency has also stated that it will work “to promptly resolve any remaining conflict and restore stability as soon as possible.”

Creatively, the group have teased a new look and sound is coming, giving fans hope that they’ll see the K-pop darlings again soon. As for the group’s name, Danielle ensured fans that NewJeans is forever, “Regardless of our name, just remember that NewJeans never dies.”

Source: https://www.elle.com.au/culture/entertainment/new-jeans-court-case-explained/

 

[RandAlThor]

They are under contract. PERIOD.
they can break the contract , but they have to pay the penalty. That penalty is STEEP.
ie the projected earnings for the groups entire run with a multiplier. i think the projection is 200+ million us.
That they were so successful early actually hurts this.

They want to break the contract and not pay the penalty.
Which is about a likely as me marrying Wendy(Irene Yoona Taeyeon ect) or becoming president of the USA next year.

 

[centen]

It's weird reading western think pieces from people who only broadly understand kpop and only broadly understand the actual situation. NewJeans wasn't trying to get out of the contract because they "lack agency over their music and public image."

All this nonsense started because they were trying to back up MHJ, and since then, they've just been throwing things to see what will stick.

This is so annoying, just like the ablume girls. I really dislike it when idols make me side with the company over them, but they have no case here. They had no case at the beginning and they have no case now.

 

[Selfmate]

HYBE CEO said 'disciplined' NewJeans measures 'bearing fruit'

The "disciplined measures" that HYBE swore to take against its rogue girl group, NewJeans, have been "bearing fruit" this year, the K-pop powerhouse's CEO, Lee Jae-sang, said Monday.

"I told you in the shareholder meeting held last year that we will tackle our problems with calm and disciplined measures one by one, even if it takes time, based on principles," Lee said on Monday during this year's shareholder meeting held in western Seoul, when asked about the company's strategies regarding the NewJeans scandal.

"I believe that we are seeing the fruits of those endeavors," he said.

HYBE's subsidiary ADOR won an injunction case against NewJeans when a local court earlier this month ordered the five singers to return to ADOR and continue their activities as members of NewJeans. The singers announced on March 23, after the court decision, that they will take time off from their activities.

The decision was not agreed upon with ADOR, according to the agency.

"We have a firm belief in the multilabel system and its value," Lee said Monday, regarding the NewJeans issue. HYBE's multilable system has been brought into question repeatedly since the company's brawl with former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin broke out last April.

"The multilabel system is the reason why we could become the fourth-largest music company following Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group, along with our solution and platform businesses. We did run into some errors in the process, but we are fixing them as we go along," Lee said.

The first hearing on the lawsuit filed by ADOR to verify that the company's contract with the NewJeans members is valid will take place on April 3.

When asked about plans regarding HYBE's biggest boy band BTS, Lee remained cautious. All of the members are set to finish their military duties by June. Onlookers have been wagering on new BTS music to come by the end of the year, followed by a world tour soon afterward.

"The members of BTS are going to finish their military duties within the first half of this year and return to their activities," the CEO said. "But they need time to prepare for their music. We are in talks with top-tier songwriters but the artists also need time to think and prepare themselves."

The date of the tour will also come after the members set a comeback date, according to Lee.

"A tour date is usually set after [an artist] finishes their music," Lee said. "Since BTS members have already marked themselves down as global artists, we are consistently talking about the next step and their visions, which means that we will also need to think about our strategies in accordance with that direction."

"The multilable system that we have established continues to become stronger. We will focus on making a multi-home, multi-genre system into the world," he added.

Source: https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.co...lined-NewJeans-measures-bearing-fruit/2274284

 

[RandAlThor]

Weee hopefully Friday will bear fruit.

 

[Abeamus]

It's weird reading western think pieces from people who only broadly understand kpop and only broadly understand the actual situation. NewJeans wasn't trying to get out of the contract because they "lack agency over their music and public image."

All this nonsense started because they were trying to back up MHJ, and since then, they've just been throwing things to see what will stick.

This is so annoying, just like the ablume girls. I really dislike it when idols make me side with the company over them, but they have no case here. They had no case at the beginning and they have no case now.

Funny thing is that the courts when it comes to Kpop cases usually do end up siding with the idols so the fact the judge not only went against NewJeans but shot down all 11 reasons shows how there just isn't anything there at all especially when it wasn't just a single judge that NewJeans didn't get anything with but a panel of 3 judges and not a single reason was deemed even a valid starting point.

 

[RandAlThor]

Funny thing is that the courts when it comes to Kpop cases usually do end up siding with the idols so the fact the judge not only went against NewJeans but shot down all 11 reasons shows how there just isn't anything there at all especially when it wasn't just a single judge that NewJeans didn't get anything with but a panel of 3 judges and not a single reason was deemed even a valid starting point.

Clearly they have been given trainloads of very poor advice. which is typical of bad lawyers they are just trying to get paid as long as possible.

 

[Abeamus]

Clearly they have been given trainloads of very poor advice.

Well there might be a conflict of interest as they share the same lawyers as Min Heejin but there also seems to be an issue that the girls talk and think like her like calling themselves Revolutionaries in that Times interview which you know Min Heejin would call herself and then they seem to just say whatever too and somehow believe they're going to win still which now it looks more and more likely they will lose.

 

[RandAlThor]

Well there might be a conflict of interest as they share the same lawyers as Min Heejin but there also seems to be an issue that the girls talk and think like her like calling themselves Revolutionaries in that Times interview which you know Min Heejin would call herself and then they seem to just say whatever too and somehow believe they're going to win still which now it looks more and more likely they will lose.

My opinion on law is its a game. If you want to play you gotta get someone who is paid to only care about you. Why anyone signs entertainment contracts without a dedicated personal lawyer to explain ect. still blows my mind.
Particularly since so many Idols are from very well off families. Tao ect could have had the best lawyers in the world. kinda makes me think its why Wendy has not yet resigned. with SM.

 

[Abeamus]

My opinion on law is its a game. If you want to play you gotta get someone who is paid to only care about you. Why anyone signs entertainment contracts without a dedicated personal lawyer to explain ect. still blows my mind.
Particularly since so many Idols are from very well off families. Tao ect could have had the best lawyers in the world. kinda makes me think its why Wendy has not yet resigned. with SM.

Law being a game is pretty accurate since it has its own rules and if you want to win you have to play by the rules as even when it comes to evidence if you are careless with it there is potential that the evidence gets thrown out and NewJeans not having a lawyer dedicated to them is quite worrisome when you see what they're doing.

 

[Selfmate]

HYBE CEO’s Comments on NJZ-ADOR Conflict Spark Backlash: “Insensitive and Dismissive”

HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang’s comments about the “ADOR incident” during a shareholder meeting have angered fans, seen as indirect criticism of NewJeans.

HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang is under fire after publicly referencing the ongoing internal conflict with ADOR, widely believed to involve NewJeans, during the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting held on March 31.

At the meeting in Mapo-gu, Seoul, Lee responded to questions about HYBE’s corporate governance and their handling of the ADOR situation by stating, “I mentioned at last year’s shareholders’ meeting that while it would take time, we would address each issue step by step based on principles. I believe we are now starting to see the results.”

This seemingly vague yet pointed remark referring to what Korean media and official documents call the “ADOR incident” has drawn major backlash online. Many fans interpreted the statement as an indirect attack on NewJeans, the flagship girl group under ADOR.

Fans Outraged: “How Is He Saying All This and People Still Blame NewJeans?”
The response online was swift and emotional. A tweet from user @dittomatik gained attention for saying, “How is he openly saying all these things and ppl still think NJZ are in the wrong?”

International fans, especially after a similar article appeared in Korea JoongAng Daily, expressed frustration that HYBE continues to publicly frame the conflict, while NewJeans has remained silent presumably bound by internal constraints.

Adding to the controversy, one netizen pointed out that, “HYBE has copyrighted an extremely popular jersey club remix of a NJZ song. However, HYBE did not copyright a #emix of a song by another one of their artists.”

This move was widely viewed as a subtle form of targeting, amplifying suspicions that HYBE may be exerting pressure on NewJeans amid its tension with ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin.

“ADOR Incident” or Targeted Group Conflict?
Although HYBE continues to refer to the dispute as the “ADOR incident”, many believe the term is a thin veil for a broader conflict that heavily involves NewJeans. The persistent framing of the situation as a corporate issue — while avoiding direct acknowledgment of the group — has only deepened public skepticism.

With CEO Lee Jae-sang now claiming their “step-by-step” response is showing results, fans are asking: results for whom? And at what cost to the artists stuck in the middle?

As more supporters rally behind NewJeans, calling for transparency and accountability, HYBE’s internal issues are proving impossible to keep private.

Source: https://kbizoom.com/hybe-ceos-comme...ct-spark-backlash-insensitive-and-dismissive/

 

[RandAlThor]

whine more please, nut jobs.

 

[centen]

“I mentioned at last year’s shareholders’ meeting that while it would take time, we would address each issue step by step based on principles. I believe we are now starting to see the results.”

This is the most bland statement he could possibly make. For such chronically online people, you'd think they would be better at basic reading comprehension.

 

[Abeamus]

I feel like NewJeans side was expecting Hybe to be more ruthless like SM and the fact that Hybe has just done the bare minimum to protect their image is aggravating them because it makes it harder to portray the poor girls vs evil company narrative they're trying to stick.

 

[Selfmate]

ADOR reveals continued payments to NewJeans despite contract dispute

HYBE-owned ADOR disclosed ongoing payments to K-pop group NewJeans during a court hearing on Thursday (April 3) in their contractual dispute.

The agency revealed that payments have continued even after the group attempted to terminate their exclusive contract, local news outlet Koreaboo reported the same day.

During proceedings at the Seoul Central District Court, ADOR reportedly presented evidence of having met financial commitments to dismiss claims they had failed to fulfill their management obligations.

ADOR claimed that the company continued monthly payments to NewJeans members including advertisement fees and event payouts, in addition to salaries, despite receiving a contract termination notice last November.

NewJeans, which recently rebranded themselves NJZ, declared in November that their contract with ADOR was null and void, alleging mistreatment and bullying at the hands of ADOR staff amid an ongoing conflict between the label and its former CEO and NewJeans manager Min Hee-jin.

Most recently, ADOR told the court that since October 2023, settlements to NewJeans have amounted to about KRW 12 billion ($8.2 million), which the company claims have already been paid to NewJeans members.

“When Min Hee Jin was ousted, and new management came under HYBE, the new management had completely different values from the past and become a different corporation.”

NewJeans’ Legal Team

The agency further noted the investments made by parent company HYBE in NewJeans. It said HYBE acquired 100% of ADOR’s shares for KRW 5 billion ($3.4 million at the current exchange rate) in November 2021 after ADOR separated from Source Music. HYBE subsequently made additional investments of KRW 10 billion ($6.9 million) in 2021 and KRW 6 billion ($4.1 million) in 2022 to support ADOR’s operations, Koreaboo reported.

ADOR’s representatives also revealed at the hearing that the product cost for NewJeans’ debut album alone reached about KRW 7 billion ($4.8 million), more than double the industry average of KRW 3 billion ($2 million) at the time. The group debuted in July 2022 with the single Attention. ADOR claimed that HYBE had invested a total of KRW 30 billion ($20 million) in helping NewJeans debut.

ADOR stressed that they “made an investment of an unprecedented scale, solely for NJZ,” dismissing claims that “HYBE dislikes NJZ.”

Meanwhile, NewJeans’ legal team maintained that former CEO Min Hee Jin‘s removal rendered the current ADOR a “different corporation” from the one they originally worked with.

“We’re not just talking about Min Hee Jin. When Min Hee Jin was ousted, and new management came under HYBE, the new management had completely different values from the past and [became] a different corporation,” NewJeans’ legal team was quoted by Koreaboo as saying at the hearing.

Min, who was widely credited as the brains behind NewJeans, resigned as an internal director of ADOR, issuing a public letter in November in which she alleged that HYBE’s actions against her were retribution for her attempt to blow the whistle on misconduct within the K-pop giant.

“While it is true that Min Hee Jin contributed to the creation of NJZ, it makes no sense to say that they cannot exist without Min Hee Jin.”

ADOR

“The relationship of trust has been broken, so we cannot continue together,” NewJeans’ legal team reportedly said. “We hope that rather than looking just at Min Hee Jin, in the situation where she has been kicked out, we hope the court will look into whether the past and current ADOR is the same as the agency the group has trusted and whether it is in line for them to continue with the current ADOR,” they added.

Meanwhile, ADOR’s legal team called NewJeans’ arguments contradictory, particularly regarding Min Hee Jin’s creative influence.

“While it is true that Min Hee Jin contributed to the creation of NJZ, it makes no sense to say that they cannot exist without Min Hee Jin,” ADOR reportedly said.

ADOR’s legal representative added: “ADOR is a subsidiary of HYBE, the number one entertainment label in Korea, so it’s nonsense to say that they cannot find another producer. Considering they prepared for the Hong Kong performance without Min Hee Jin’s help contradicts their claims that they can’t do anything without her.”

The agency’s statement referred to NewJeans’ recent performance at ComplexCon in Hong Kong, where the group introduced themselves as “NJZ” and released a new song called Pit Stop. The group capped off the concert with an announcement that they are going on an indefinite hiatus after a court in Seoul issued an injunction preventing them from operating independently from their label.

“It is really hard for us to say this, but this might be our last performance for a little while. Out of respect for the court’s decision, we’ve decided to pause all our activities for now,” the group told fans.

The next hearing is scheduled for April 9.

Source: https://www.musicbusinessworldwide....ayments-to-newjeans-despite-contract-dispute/

 

[Selfmate]

What did judge have to say in first Ador v. NewJeans hearing?

Judge highlights unique nature of case, says ‘loss of trust’ requires careful interpretation

The first court hearing in the contractual dispute between K-pop girl group NewJeans and its agency Ador ended without progress on Thursday, with the two sides remaining far apart on the possibility of reaching a settlement. The next court hearing is scheduled for June 5.

The Seoul Central District Court held the initial hearing for Ador’s lawsuit seeking confirmation of the validity of its exclusive contract with NewJeans. Only legal representatives were present, as no one from the band attended.

Ador argued that the group's unilateral termination of contract in November 2024 lacked both procedural and legal grounds and that their deal signed in April 2022 remains valid.

In contrast, NewJeans' side asserted that trust between the parties had irreparably collapsed, particularly after the removal of former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin, a key figure credited with the group’s success.

The judge asked whether the parties were open to a settlement.

While an Ador lawyer expressed the willingness to pursue an agreement, NewJeans’ legal representative replied that the group was not in a mental state to consider a settlement at this time.

The two sides also clashed over how to describe Min’s exit from the company in November.

Ador maintained that Min voluntarily resigned after refusing to work under a new CEO, while NewJeans' side argued she was ousted and replaced by someone under direct control of Hybe, Ador’s parent company, fundamentally changing the agency’s nature.

“The defendants argue that they cannot carry on with their careers without Min, but it makes no sense to say NewJeans cannot exist without her,” Ador’s attorney said. “Ador is a subsidiary of Hybe, the No. 1 K-pop agency in the industry, and is capable of finding new producers. In fact, NewJeans successfully performed in Hong Kong recently without Min’s involvement.”

Last month, the group performed under a new name, NJZ, at ComplexCon Hong Kong, an independent decision made without Ador after the girl group left the agency. However, after the court granted Ador’s injunction on March 21 to preserve its status as the group’s agency and to block any external advertising contracts until the final judgement on merit, the group performed under Ador's management in Hong Kong.

NewJeans’ legal team argued that, even setting aside Min’s case, Hybe failed to come up with any alternative for the band over the six to seven months following its dispute with Min that started about a year ago. They claimed the issue was not just Min’s dismissal, but that communication with the group had also broken down since then.

“When it comes to a corporation, replacing an executive can fundamentally change the nature of the entity. With Min ousted and a new management taking over under Hybe’s direction, Ador is no longer the same company it once was,” the NewJeans’ lawyer said. “We ask the court to determine whether it is right for the defendants to continue with the current Ador, which is no longer the agency they once trusted.”

Ador countered that Min was not forced out, but left of her own accord, refusing to continue if she was not reinstated as CEO.

“Even after the leadership change, Ador offered to let Min continue her production work, but she refused. Then, the members declared termination of the contract,” Ador’s lawyer said. “The door for communication was closed.”

Presiding Judge Jeong Hoe-il acknowledged the case’s uniqueness, noting that it represents more complex issues than typical contractual disputes.

“I’ve handled cases where an idol comes asking for the contract to be terminated after never receiving a payment, but this case is quite different. The concept of a ‘loss of trust’ is abstract, and I will need to carefully consider how that should be interpreted," Jeong remarked.

Source: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10457582

 

[Selfmate]

NewJeans "We can't do it without Min Hee Jin" vs ADOR "NewJeans did just fine without her in Hong Kong"

On April 3, 2025, the Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division 41 (presided over by Judge Jeong Hoe Il) held its first hearing regarding ADOR’s lawsuit against NJZ (NewJeans) over the validity of their exclusive contract. None of the group’s members attended the session.

The key points of contention in the case revolve around three main issues: the producer change, the alleged breakdown of trust, and the legitimacy of the contract termination. The resignation of former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, a crucial aspect of the case, has become a focal point for intense disagreement.

ADOR's Position: ADOR acknowledged Min Hee Jin's significant contribution to the success of NewJeans, but maintained that as a subsidiary of HYBE, the industry leader, the company has the capacity to introduce a new producer to support the group’s development. ADOR argued that if they had planned to remove Min Hee Jin, they should have arranged for a suitable producer replacement beforehand.

NewJeans' Response: NewJeans contested the producer change process, stating that ADOR should have made provisions for a replacement producer if Min Hee Jin's departure was imminent. NewJeans expressed concerns over the lack of communication regarding these changes, claiming that they were not properly consulted or informed.

ADOR’s Rebuttal: ADOR countered by asserting that Min Hee Jin voluntarily resigned. They emphasized that while the opinions of the artists are important in producer decisions, NewJeans had refused to communicate their views, thus complicating the process.

NewJeans' Trust Breakdown Claim: NewJeans argued that the company’s internal changes and the leadership shift had led to a breakdown of trust, rendering the exclusive contract termination valid. They emphasized that the company’s new management team, with differing values, made it impossible to continue a working relationship based on trust.

ADOR's Response on Trust: ADOR responded by pointing out that NewJeans successfully completed their performance at 'ComplexCon Hong Kong' on March 23 without Min Hee Jin’s presence. ADOR pointed out the inconsistency between NewJeans' statements about needing Min Hee Jin for their activities and their successful event without her involvement.

Court’s View: The court acknowledged that the trust issue would require further discussion. Typically, such issues arise when no payments are received, and the artist requests a contract termination. However, given NewJeans’ established success, the court noted that the situation might require different consideration. Judge Jeong stated that if the breakdown of trust was solely due to Min Hee Jin’s absence, it would not align with traditional cases of trust violations and needed deeper examination.

Termination of the Contract: NewJeans also cited their request for eight corrective actions in November 2023, which ADOR had allegedly failed to address. They argued that under Article 15 of the exclusive contract, this lack of response justified their request for contract termination.

ADOR’s Rebuttal on Termination: ADOR rejected NewJeans’ claims, asserting that the group's arguments lacked solid procedural and substantive evidence. They emphasized that NewJeans had not followed the proper procedures for contract termination and that their reasons for cancellation were insufficient.

Final Disagreement: As the hearing came to a close, ADOR expressed their willingness to reach a settlement with NewJeans, but NewJeans rejected the offer, citing the members' emotional concerns.

The next hearing is scheduled for June 5, 2025, at 11:10 AM. At that time, ADOR will be required to clearly outline their plans for producer support, while NewJeans will need to present additional evidence to support their termination claim.

Injunction Decision: Additionally, on March 21, 2025, the court granted ADOR’s injunction to prevent NewJeans from engaging in advertising contracts or other related activities. As a result, NewJeans ceased all activities after their performance at 'ComplexCon Hong Kong' on March 23, 2025.

Source: https://www.allkpop.com/article/202...wjeans-did-just-fine-without-her-in-hong-kong

 

[Selfmate]

I think a lot of the case will come down to as the judge said

what does "loss of trust" mean in a legal context as it relates to idols and kpop contracts...