Seoul High Court Rejects NewJeans’ Appeal to Terminate ADOR Contract
ADOR’s contract with NewJeans upholds, preventing members from pursuing solo activities independently.
Summary
- Seoul High Court rejects NewJeans’ appeal to terminate exclusive contracts with ADOR
- Court upholds injunction blocking members from solo entertainment activities without ADOR’s consent
- NewJeans cited broken trust and alleged mistreatment; court rules in ADOR’s favor for the third time
ADOR has announced that the Seoul High Court has rejected the appeal filed by the five members of NewJeans to terminate their exclusive contracts with the label.
In an official statement, ADOR said
“We sincerely appreciate the court’s decision. We hope that this ruling will serve as an opportunity for the members to return to their rightful place as NewJeans and resume their activities. As they approach their third debut anniversary next month, ADOR is committed to providing full support for the artists’ further growth and success.”
The court upheld the existing agreement, which prohibits the members from engaging in independent entertainment activities without ADOR’s prior consent. This marks the third consecutive ruling in favor of the label, following similar decisions in March and April 2025.
In their appeal, NewJeans argued that their relationship with former CEO Min Hee Jin — under whose leadership they debuted — had been “completely broken” due to a change in management. They also cited allegations of mistreatment and harassment by ADOR staff, though those claims were reportedly dismissed, as South Korean law does not classify artists as workers under labor protection statutes. The group further stated that if the injunction were not overturned, they would face “irreversible harm,” including a prolonged hiatus that could severely impact their careers.
The preliminary injunction remains in effect, continuing to restrict the group from pursuing any solo endeavors without ADOR’s approval.
