News NewJeans issues statement on the lawsuit ADOR filed against them: (1 Viewer)

[Xeulgi]

​

— Hello, this is Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein. We feel regretful having to release such a statement amid this unsettling situation.

Recently, through the media, we learned that ADOR filed a lawsuit seeking confirmation that our exclusive contracts with them remain valid. In its official statement, ADOR failed to properly assert that there were no breaches of the exclusive contract. Instead, it merely repeated the claim that, since the company provided support and investment, contract termination is impossible until those costs are recovered.

However, we have already returned profits in excess of our investment to both ADOR and HYBE, and HYBE has attempted to sabotage us by maligning and reverse virally devaluing us, and ADOR has aided and abetted this after a change in management. It's almost as if the company that is supposed to protect us has created our own bad publicity, and we believe we are likely to suffer more harm in the future, especially given this breakdown in trust.

Our trust in ADOR and HYBE has been shattered by their inability to fulfill their obligations to protect their artists and their repeated breaches of contract. As stated in our exclusive agreement, there is no longer any reason to work with ADOR and HYBE.

The exclusivity agreement clearly states that we can terminate the agreement if ADOR fails to fulfill its contractual obligations. Forcing us to work for another five years despite this breakdown of trust and breach of contract is not only unreasonable, but inhumane.

We gave them a 14-day grace period to cure the breach, but they failed to do so at all, so we gave them notice of termination, which was effective immediately, in accordance with the Exclusive Agreement.

ADOR has now filed a lawsuit seeking a court’s judgment on the legality of this termination. However, this is merely a post facto procedure to obtain judicial confirmation. We express our deep regret that, despite this, ADOR issued a statement misleading the public into believing that the contract still remains in force.

To be clear, as of November 29, 2024, we are no longer part of ADOR, and ADOR has no right to interfere or intervene in our activities.

We were horrified and disgusted to read the media reports that announced dialogue and reconciliation on the surface, while behind the scenes, they followed us, slandered us, and spread falsehoods. However, no matter how much they try to divide us, the five of us are united and nothing can separate us.

We are diligently working on the remaining scheduled shows with ADOR as promised shortly after the announcement of our termination, but we have also witnessed managers and staff who are helping us with those shows crying because they have been severely harassed by ADOR and HYBE, including having their laptops taken away from them and being subjected to interrogations. We find this behavior towards the staff working on the remaining shows to be completely unacceptable, and we are distressed that we are not the only ones being harmed by this unconscionable and inhumane company.

We know we have a long road ahead of us, but we have a dream of a life with our fans who love us through healthy music and we want to make sure we fulfill that dream.

Even after the change of CEO, and despite multiple revelations of HYBE’s problems, ADOR has not corrected them, nor has it demanded improvements from other labels that have defamed and misrepresented us. We are deeply disappointed that ADOR has chosen to sue us again, and we look forward to the trial process, which will shed light on the circumstances that led us to choose to terminate our exclusive contract and the reasons for ADOR breach of contract.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the many people who have supported us, and we ask for your continued support and love for the five of us.

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@Bunnies​

 

[seungfloral]

I wonder how much they paid Ador and Hybe to leave.

I feel like the court hearing will be very much discussing "in what way" did Ador breech the exclusive contracts

 

[StirFriedPanda]

That was extreme well worded. I wish I could read it in the original Korean.

 

[Abeamus]

Their logic just doesn't work as they can't just continue on Ador planned schedules if the contract is terminated and I'll give another Hybe example that when Hybe announced Gfriends contracts would be terminated then the schedules that were planned post the termination date were cleared which included content Hybe already had filmed.

The other thing is they are calling forcing them to stay in Hybe for 5 more years inhumane which I'd agree with if that was what was happening but it's not as they can leave however they'll have to pay penalties in order to get out of their contract so maybe their parents should have looked out for them more as they are right behind Min Heejin to blame for putting them in this situation.

 

[StirFriedPanda]

Their logic just doesn't work as they can't just continue on Ador planned schedules if the contract is terminated and I'll give another Hybe example that when Hybe announced Gfriends contracts would be terminated then the schedules that were planned post the termination date were cleared which included content Hybe already had filmed.

The other thing is they are calling forcing them to stay in Hybe for 5 more years inhumane which I'd agree with if that was what was happening but it's not as they can leave however they'll have to pay penalties in order to get out of their contract so maybe their parents should have looked out for them more as they are right behind Min Heejin to blame for putting them in this situation.

I agree with your last statement. No one is looking out for just the girls and their interests. I do disagree with the first though. They are obligated to finish already scheduled events but not newly scheduled stuff. The courts have overturned a lot of contracts lately. Bbgirls, loona, and others so it can happen. They have in writing in emails that HYBE was contemplating abandoning NJ's. That's a huge help to NJ's. But only their day in court will tell.

 

[Abeamus]

I agree with your last statement. No one is looking out for just the girls and their interests. I do disagree with the first though. They are obligated to finish already scheduled events but not newly scheduled stuff. The courts have overturned a lot of contracts lately. Bbgirls, loona, and others so it can happen. They have in writing in emails that HYBE was contemplating abandoning NJ's. That's a huge help to NJ's. But only their day in court will tell.

They aren't obligated if the contract is truly terminated like had NewJeans done it properly and went to court there would be an injunction on activities by the judge if the contract was bad like Loona which was a slave contract that would bury them in debt.

NewJeans have an internal document that says "replace NewJeans" on it which they claimed was meaning to separate Le Sserafims identity from NewJeans and this was their weakest argument by far I will say. The issue is that it's their interpretation against Adors unless they can pull the document in discovery then the truth of it will come out.

There is a huge flaw in NewJeans plan compared to others though and that is that they aren't acting in good faith to which even if you don't trust Ador saying the girls are ignoring meeting requests, that's fine. NewJeans themselves said they didn't read Adors response to their 14 day they got an hour before the conference which won't be viewed favourably in court as they had ample time to read it but just chose not to.

I do feel sympathy for the girls as they've been played and could have had a real sweet spot in Hybe but MHJ and their parents are ruining them for their own gain not to mention how bad going back to Hybe will likely be for their mental health given the atmosphere this has undoubtedly created.

 

[Selfmate]

interesting

however the statement is moot since the ultimate decision will lie with the courts

2025 here we go!!!

 

[VerrerAtHeart]

I agree with your last statement. No one is looking out for just the girls and their interests. I do disagree with the first though. They are obligated to finish already scheduled events but not newly scheduled stuff. The courts have overturned a lot of contracts lately. Bbgirls, loona, and others so it can happen. They have in writing in emails that HYBE was contemplating abandoning NJ's. That's a huge help to NJ's. But only their day in court will tell.

I think there's at least a decent likelihood since they seem to have a decently strong case against HYBE--and no matter what, I think given the animosity, it's best for all parties that NewJeans should leave HYBE now. If they're forced to go back, they'll clearly have no more passion and be doing everything under duress, which will come through into their music and so on. I just hope everything turns out all right for the members!

 

[StirFriedPanda]

I think there's at least a decent likelihood since they seem to have a decently strong case against HYBE--and no matter what, I think given the animosity, it's best for all parties that NewJeans should leave HYBE now. If they're forced to go back, they'll clearly have no more passion and be doing everything under duress, which will come through into their music and so on. I just hope everything turns out all right for the members!

True, forcing them back will only end worse for HYBE and the girls. Kpop companies aren't smart enough to compromise when it's in everyone's best interest. Often it seems like they'd rather implode than give in. I think that's a reason courts have started siding with idols.