K-pop girl group NewJeans has faced a significant setback after a year-long legal struggle against their label, Ador. The court ruled against the group, dismissing their claims of mistreatment and affirming that their contract with Ador remains valid until 2029. Since their debut in 2022, comprising members Kim Minji, Hanni Pham, Danielle Marsh, Kang Haerin, and Lee Hyein, NewJeans has achieved remarkable success, with several songs amassing over 700 million streams on Spotify, including hits like “Ditto,” “OMG,” and “Super Shy.”
The ruling comes amid ongoing discourse regarding the treatment of K-pop artists, a topic underscored by the tragic experiences of former idols such as Goo Hara and Choi Jin-ri (Sulli), who both faced immense pressures within the industry. The New York Times previously highlighted the darker realities of the Korean entertainment scene, where artists often struggle to voice concerns against their management.
This conflict originated in 2024, following a dispute involving Min Hee-jin, the then-CEO of Ador, and Hybe, Ador’s parent company. Accusations arose concerning Min’s attempts to leave the company, resulting in her dismissal in August 2024. Subsequently, NewJeans sought to restore Min’s leadership role, but she stepped back shortly after being appointed as an internal director. Allegations of mistreatment were brought to light during a now-deleted livestream by the group, particularly with claims that Ador instructed media to minimize their success.
In late 2024, NewJeans expressed their intention to terminate their relationship with Hybe and Ador, prompting Ador to seek legal intervention. The court ultimately clarifying that their contract was intact. Despite this, the girls attempted to rebrand as NJZ and organize performances without authorization, resulting in a ruling requiring them to compensate Ador and Hybe if they participated in any entertainment activities independently.
The ongoing dispute led NewJeans to announce an indefinite hiatus in March, a decision made out of respect for the legal process. They stated, “It wasn’t an easy decision, but we believe this is something we need to do at this moment,” during an event in Hong Kong.
The court’s October 30 ruling confirmed that Ador did not breach the contract and maintained the group’s obligations through 2029, with the court finding insufficient evidence of mistreatment claims related to Min’s termination. As a consequence, Hybe’s market value increased by $1.5 billion, reflecting investor fears of a potential exodus of K-pop idols if NewJeans had won.
In a statement to Music Business Worldwide, Ador expressed optimism for NewJeans’ eventual return, indicating readiness to schedule new events and releases. However, the group remains on hiatus and has communicated that a return to the label would be “impossible” at this time. There are plans to appeal the court’s decision, as reported by The Korea Herald, with the hope of a more favorable outcome for the artists involved. This situation reflects ongoing challenges within the K-pop industry and the desire for a more equitable environment for its artists.