NewJeans vs. ADOR: A Legal Battle That Shocks K-pop
The Verdict That Shook the Industry
On March 21, 2025, the Seoul Central Court issued a historic ruling by accepting ADOR's request for an injunction, prohibiting NewJeans from performing independent activities under the name NJZ without authorization. The members expressed their disappointment in an exclusive interview with TIME: "It's disheartening, but we know that K-pop's problems won't change overnight. Perhaps this is the current reality of Korea." The court decision has generated an earthquake in the industry, questioning the balance of power between agencies and artists.
The 11 Reasons Rejected by the Court
The court ruling dismissed all arguments presented by NewJeans to justify the termination of the contract, including:
- Alleged lack of creative support after former CEO Min Hee-jin's departure
- Concerns about the management of their public image
- Accusations of interference from other HYBE subsidiaries
The court considered the evidence presented insufficient, highlighting that "mutual trust had not been irreparably broken." This has generated debates about legal standards in K-pop contractual disputes.
Global Reactions: #AlwaysWithNJZ vs Skepticism
The international fan community (called Bunnies) shows divisions:
- NJZ supporters flooded Twitter with 1.2 million tweets using the hashtag #AlwaysWithNJZ, highlighting messages such as:
"Their courage to perform at ComplexCon Hong Kong demonstrates their commitment to fans"
- Critics question: "If they didn't respect the contract, why do they expect us to respect their legal decisions?"
Korean forums like Instiz recorded more than 15,000 comments in 24 hours, where users highlighted: "Companies always win these battles. They should negotiate instead of fighting".
The ComplexCon Hong Kong Dilemma
Despite the legal prohibition, NewJeans confirmed their participation in the March 23 concert through an emotional statement:
"We didn't want to disappoint those who bought tickets. This stage will be our testimony of resistance". ADOR responded by sending support staff, insisting they would perform as "NewJeans of ADOR", not as NJZ. Behind the scenes, tensions were reported over control of the setlist and costume design.
Expert Analysis: Revolution or Rebellion?
Specialized media point to concerning patterns:
- 78% of contractual disputes in K-pop (2015-2024) favored agencies
- The NJZ case marks the first time a top-tier group openly challenges a HYBE subsidiary
Entertainment law specialist Kim Min-soo warns: "Without concrete evidence of contractual violations, the artists could face million-dollar fines".
The Road to April 3
All eyes are on the upcoming main trial hearing. NewJeans plans to:
1. Present new evidence about alleged financial irregularities
2. Question creative independence under ADOR
3. Demonstrate psychological damage through medical evaluations
Meanwhile, ADOR is preparing legal counterattacks based on:
- Royalty payment records
- Testimonies from support staff
- Analysis of commercial impact due to the name change
On social media, fans are organizing crowdfunding campaigns to support legal costs, raising more than ₩500 million in the first 12 hours. The industry is closely watching this case that could redefine artist-agency relationships in global K-pop.