The continued feud between South Korean leisure big HYBE, its subsidiary label ADOR and Ok-pop lady group NewJeans has emerged as one of the vital excessive profile feuds we’ve witnessed in Ok-pop in latest reminiscence.
ADOR, which homes widespread Ok-pop lady group NewJeans, is helmed by former SM Leisure inventive director Min Hee-jin and was as soon as poised to change into one among HYBE’s most profitable labels. Nevertheless, it’s now on the centre of an alleged energy battle over the therapy and administration of NewJeans and future inventive tasks beneath ADOR.
Based in November 2021, Min Hee-jin launched the label after two years as HYBE’s Chief Model Officer. What started as a battle over management over administration and artistic route of ADOR and NewJeans has turned, over the course of the previous 12 months, right into a heated tug-of-war between the leisure big and the band themselves over their creative autonomy and employee’s rights.
The futures of NewJeans have change into more and more unclear amid the feud. Though many blanks have but to be crammed within the overarching battle, under is a full timeline of occasions which have occurred since all events have taken their dispute to the general public area.
April 22, 2024 – HYBE launches inner audit of ADOR
The primary indicators of an influence battle between HYBE and its subsidiary Ok-pop company ADOR, house to NewJeans, first emerged on April 22, when South Korean media reported that the audit workforce of leisure big HYBE had launched an investigation into ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin and an unnamed govt of the corporate.
HYBE later confirmed that it did launch an audit into ADOR executives over a suspicion that they have been attempting to take management of the Ok-pop company, nevertheless no particular workers members have been named in HYBE’s affirmation. Following the information, the inventory worth of HYBE started to drop.
April 22, 2024 – ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin accuses HYBE of “undermining” NewJeans’ success
Shortly after the information of HYBE’s audit into ADOR broke, CEO Min Hee-jin issued a press release accusing HYBE of “undermining” NewJeans’ success. She claimed HYBE had copied the “make-up, costumes, choreography, pictures, movies and occasion appearances” of NewJeans for its newest lady group ILLIT, who debuted beneath separate subsidiary Belift Lab in late March.
Min additionally claimed that she had filed an official criticism over what she described was a “copycat situation”, claiming that each HYBE and Belift Lab “refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing, merely developing with a string of excuses and delaying concrete responses”. In the identical assertion, she additionally refuted HYBE’s allegations about her attempting to take management of the corporate.
“I can not perceive how official actions geared toward preserving the cultural achievements of affiliated artists like NewJeans are being twisted into conduct towards ADOR’s pursuits or makes an attempt to usurp its administration rights,” she wrote.
April 24, 2024 – HYBE CEO Park Ji-won claims to have found proof of Min and different executives “attempting to grab management” of ADOR
Yonhap Information Company reported that Park had despatched a company-wide electronic mail stating that proof of ADOR executives’ makes an attempt at “seizing management” of the label has been discovered, including that he’ll “take applicable actions after confirming extra [of the truth] by way of this audit”. In the identical electronic mail, Park additionally claimed that the alleged takeover plans have been “set in movement lengthy earlier than ILLIT made their debut”.
April 24, 2024 – Min Hee-jin and ADOR executives deny claims of a takeover
Min Hee-jin instructed a separate South Korean information outlet in an interview, per CNA, that she has by no means “met with any investor to take over administration rights of ADOR”. She additionally alleged that it could be “not possible” for her to take action “with out consent” from HYBE, as she solely owns 18 per cent of the corporate, with different firm executives holding 2 per cent and HYBE proudly owning 80 per cent of ADOR. She additionally revealed that she was “all of a sudden notified of my dismissal” after elevating considerations of similarities between ILLIT and NewJeans.
An nameless deputy CEO of ADOR additionally claimed in one other interview with Yonhap Information Company that the alleged proof HYBE uncovered have been nothing greater than “private reflections” in regards to the “long-standing conflicts between HYBE and ADOR”. In addition they claimed that the paperwork containing the alleged proof “haven’t been mentioned with Min and different ADOR executives”.
April 25, 2024 – Min Hee-jin holds press convention to disclaim claims made towards her by HYBE
Throughout the press convention, Min instructed Korean press that she “was not anticipating” the audit, as a substitute claiming that she had initially made an “inner report [about the similarities between NewJeans and Belift Lab group ILLIT]” in hopes of it being “addressed formally by the corporate”.
Min additionally claimed that the conversations introduced up by HYBE as proof of her alleged plans to take over ADOR have been “rid of the context of the place they got here from”. Her authorized counsel additionally instructed press that “there was no incident the place Min tried to decrease the corporate worth” and that “you can’t ‘plot’ to breach the belief. This simply doesn’t depend as that”.
Throughout the convention, Min additionally shared how she believes the corporate “used me to the fullest and now needs to take me down as a result of I don’t hearken to them”. She additionally mentioned that HYBE founder Bang Si-hyuk “wouldn’t let me [establish ADOR and launch NewJeans] except the corporate held a 100 per cent stake”, however that she allegedly relented as a result of “a struggle would’ve taken months”.
Min additionally instructed press that members of the HYBE workforce had instructed her “to not promote NewJeans earlier than LE SSERAFIM‘s debut, as a result of they wished folks to suppose that LE SSERAFIM was Min Hee-jin’s lady group”.
“They by no means let me promote NewJeans as the primary lady group from Min Hee-jin as a result of they deliberately wished to confuse folks,” the ADOR CEO claimed. “That was all Bang Si-hyuk’s doing.”
In keeping with The Korea Herald, HYBE claimed that Min had “manipulated the reality” throughout the convention and have requested for her to resign as CEO of ADOR.
April 26, 2024 – HYBE refutes Min Hee-jin’s press convention claims
A day after Min’s two-hour press convention, HYBE issued a press release refuting her claims, alleging that “a lot [of what Min claimed during the press conference] is way from the reality to the purpose that it’s troublesome to undergo them one after the other”.
HYBE claimed that Min had “distorted the info by mixing up the timeline”, whereas claiming that they “can refute all claims with proof”. Nevertheless, HYBE additionally said that it has “determined to not point out them one after the other as we choose that they don’t seem to be price responding to”. HYBE additionally urged Min to “resign promptly for the correct administration of ADOR as she has already confirmed herself unfit to be in control of administration”.
Could 2, 2024 – Min Hee-jin had reportedly “demanded” that HYBE give her the authority to “terminate” NewJeans’ contracts
Yonhap Information Company cited unnamed business insiders in a report that Min had allegedly “demanded” the authority to “terminate” NewJeans’ unique contracts with the corporate. In keeping with the outlet, Min allegedly made the request after negotiations between the executives of the Ok-pop company and its proprietor HYBE over a revised shareholders settlement had hit a roadblock across the tail-end of 2023. Nevertheless, HYBE rejected her request, calling it “an excessive amount of”.
Min has since confirmed that the “request” was submitted in a proposal to HYBE, nevertheless claimed that it was to “handle unreasonable interference [by HYBE], a problem that emerged throughout NewJeans’ debut, and to make sure impartial administration of the label” in a press release. She additionally denied that this request was associated to allegations of a takeover levied towards her by HYBE.
Could 7, 2024 – HYBE requests an shareholders’ assembly to fireside Min Hee-jin
“HYBE has requested a unprecedented shareholders’ assembly to fireside Min Hee-jin, CEO and board member of ADOR, which is a violation of the shareholders’ contract between Min and HYBE,” Min’s authorized consultant instructed press, per Korea JoongAng Each day. HYBE owns 80 per cent of ADOR, whereas Min owns 18 per cent.
Could 9, 2024 – Min Hee-jin information injunction to cease HYBE shareholder assembly
“Min Hee-jin contends that HYBE’s argument concerning breach of belief by Min is not sensible, which is why she resulted in submitting for the injunction with the intention to shield the company worth of ADOR and its artists,” the consultant added, per Korea JoongAng Each day. In the meantime, Yongsan police instructed the outlet that it’ll “conduct a speedy and thorough investigation” on Min.
Could 13, 2024 – NewJeans’ dad and mom allegedly communicate out in new letter, HYBE responds
The letter was printed through South Korean information outlet eDaily, allegedly written by the dad and mom of NewJeans’ members. It was reportedly first despatched to Min Hee-jin on March 31, who later shared it with HYBE on April 3, earlier than the feud between ADOR and HYBE was made public and solely per week after ILLIT had formally debuted.
“We specific deep concern over the controversy that has risen with many similarities in idea […] between NewJeans and a bunch that debuted beneath one other label of HYBE,” the letter reads, as translated by Soompi. “It’s deeply regrettable that one other label beneath the identical dad or mum firm might plan a workforce that’s deliberately paying homage to NewJeans.”
“If these conditions proceed, this may undoubtedly injury NewJeans’s repute and model worth,” NewJeans’ dad and mom alleged, whereas claiming that the members of the lady group are “experiencing extreme psychological misery on this course of”.
Within the letter, NewJeans’ dad and mom additionally claimed that HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk would “ignore the NewJeans members and their greetings every time he bumped into them on the firm”, alleging that “this occurred on a number of events”.
Shortly after the letter was publicised, HYBE responded through a press release to a separate outlet claiming that the actual authors of the letter are Min and an unnamed vice chairman from ADOR. The music big additionally denied a number of allegations within the letter, together with claims of plagiarism and neglect.
HYBE additionally claimed that Min “drag[ged] in artists and their households in her personal battles for her private greed” by allegedly doctoring the letter, whereas claiming that it has proof the e-mail was “a part of the plan for the takeover of administration rights [of ADOR by Min]”. “We plan to submit this proof to investigative and judicial authorities,” HYBE additionally mentioned in response.
Could 23, 2024 – Belift Lab sues Min Hee-jin for defamation over plagiarism claims
Belift Lab, the HYBE subsidiary ILLIT is housed beneath, filed a defamation criticism towards Min Hee-jin over her claims that ILLIT had plagiarised NewJeans. “We filed a criticism towards CEO Min for making false claims unilaterally towards our firm and artists and inflicting injury,” Belift Lab mentioned in a press release. “We make it clear that the plagiarism allegations raised by Min towards our artist ILLIT should not true.”
“We’ve got submitted proof to the judicial authorities that may show the accusations are unfounded, and though it could take a while, we’ll resolve this situation by way of correct authorized procedures,” the Ok-pop company added.
Could 30, 2024 – Court docket grants Min Hee-jin injunction towards HYBE
The Seoul Central District Court docket dominated in favour of Min Hee-jin following her submitting of an injunction to cease HYBE from exercising their voting rights and dismissing her from her present place as CEO of ADOR.
“The explanations for Min Hee-jin’s dismissal or resignation claimed by HYBE haven’t been sufficiently substantiated,” the courtroom mentioned of its resolution. “Whereas Min Hee-jin’s actions could also be thought of betrayal to HYBE, it’s troublesome to say that they represent actions of breach of belief with reference to ADOR.”
In response to the courtroom’s resolution, HYBE mentioned it “respects the courtroom’s resolution” and “won’t train voting rights […] on the upcoming extraordinary assembly of shareholders”. The corporate additionally shared that it has “plans to proceed with subsequent steps throughout the boundaries set by the legislation”.
Could 31, 2024 – Min Hee-jin retains her function as ADOR CEO, two “shut aides” dismissed
The scheduled extraordinary shareholders’ assembly held on Could 31 decided that Min Hee-jin will preserve her place as ADOR CEO, nevertheless two of her “shut aides” – solely recognized as Shin and Kim – have been dismissed and changed by three C-suite govt officers from HYBE. Yonhap Information Company famous that this resolution would supply HYBE extra “management” of the board.
Could 31, 2024 – Min Hee-jin holds second press convention to deal with NewJeans’ and ADOR’s future
The second press convention held by Min Hee-jin happened the day of the shareholders’ assembly, throughout which she addressed her present relationship with HYBE and the way forward for the subsidiary label and its artists.
Min instructed press that plans for upcoming NewJeans actions have been “all thrown up within the air due to the continued month-long battle”. Notably, previous to the feud, the lady group had introduced a number of new music releases, in addition to a world tour for 2025.
“My foremost purpose is to hold out the plans as I wished with no issues. And now, since HYBE is now listening to my facet, I hope that we will amicably settle,” she added. “If I don’t do that, and NewJeans has to take depart till our organisational issues settle, who does that profit?”
Min additionally added that “what can be finished sooner or later stays to be seen” at this present juncture. “But when HYBE needs to develop ADOR and its imaginative and prescient for NewJeans, then they would want to debate that with me,” she continued.
July 15, 2024 – Supply Music information US$360,000 lawsuit towards Min Hee-jin
Fellow HYBE subsidiary Supply Music – house to LE SSERAFIM – filed a lawsuit towards Min, looking for KRW500million (roughly US$360,000) in damages for defamation and interfering with enterprise.
In a press release to Billboard, Supply Music said: “The label’s accusations primarily embody three complaints: (A) Min claimed that she personally chosen the members of NewJeans as trainees (B) Min claimed that the corporate unilaterally broke its promise to debut NewJeans as HYBE’s first lady group and (C) Min claimed Supply Music uncared for the members of NewJeans.”
August 27, 2024 – Min Hee-jin steps down as CEO of ADOR, which she claims was not her selection
ADOR introduced throughout a board assembly that Min Hee-jin would step down from her function as CEO, concurrently saying that Kim Ju-young, director of the board, would assume the place of CEO following Min’s departure. Regardless of her resignation from the function, ADOR wrote that she stays on the corporate’s board of administrators and would proceed to supply for NewJeans.
ADOR mentioned that Min being in change of each the administration of the label in addition to the manufacturing of NewJeans was “the one exception amongst all of the HYBE labels”. It added that it guarantees to “present the perfect assist for the success of NewJeans with this alteration in construction”, per Korea JoongAng Each day.
Two hours after ADOR’s announcement, Min herself claimed in a brand new assertion that her transfer to step down was not made from her personal volition. “The board made the choice whatever the CEO’s needs,” she mentioned, calling the transfer “a grave violation of the shareholders’ contract”.
After Min’s assertion, ADOR addressed her claims in a second assertion on the identical day, saying that the board assembly was “held in line with the legislation”. “The date was chosen out of the record that Min Hee-jin gave. Min took half within the assembly on-line and the board made the optimum resolution for the way forward for ADOR and NewJeans,” it wrote.
August 30, 2024 – Min Hee-jin rejects “unreasonable” non permanent contract to supply for NewJeans
Min printed a press release saying her rejection of HYBE’s provide to proceed producing for NewJeans, calling the phrases of the contract “unreasonable” and “a trick” designed to power her rejection of it.
In keeping with Min, the contract would have her retained to supply for the lady group from August 27 to November 1, which she claimed was “unrealistic” given HYBE’s purported “anticipate[ations of] the profitable completion of essential manufacturing duties, akin to making ready for NewJeans’ world tour in 2025”.
She additionally claimed that it included clauses that may enable the corporate to instantly terminate the settlement if “her work efficiency was deemed inadequate or if the corporate’s enterprise circumstances modified”.
In response ADOR launched a press release on the identical day, claiming that the brand new two-month contract was meant to cowl the rest of her contract, which expires on November 1.
September 2, 2024 – NewJeans specific frustration over ADOR-HYBE feud on social media
NewJeans members Danielle, Minji and Hanni uploaded a number of posts to fan group app Phoning to precise their frustration over the continued managerial adjustments inside ADOR.
Danielle wrote that she had “numerous considerations” since Min Hee-jin was dismissed as CEO of ADOR. “It’s been troublesome in some ways […] For some time, I used to be in a state of psychological breakdown and really anxious,” she added.
In the meantime, Minji mentioned that she wished to “consolation” them regardless of her frustration that “nothing has been solved” in regards to the state of affairs. “I used to be so annoyed with myself for not having the ability to resolve something. I’m so sorry that we’re going by way of this pointless hassle when there’s already not sufficient time within the day to concentrate on the great issues,” she wrote.
Hanni, regardless of not talking instantly in regards to the state of affairs, did contact on Min Hee-jin’s dismissal. “I used to be initially simply practising writing songs and lyrics with my guitar, however Bunnies… our members… our CEO [Min Hee-jin]… I’m additionally struggling at the moment, however I wished to consolation everybody and eliminate all my heartache.”
September 4, 2024 – NewJeans voice assist for Min Hee-jin at awards ceremony
Throughout their look at The Truth Music Awards in Osaka, NewJeans gave a shout-out to Min Hee-jin throughout their award acceptance speech. “We actually love and thank [former] CEO Min Hee-jin who at all times cherishes and protects us,” member Danielle mentioned.
Hyein additionally added that she “need[ed] to say it yet one more time as a result of it is likely to be the final probability”, telling the viewers that the group are “actually, actually grateful to our CEO”. “We love you a lot,” she concluded.
September 11, 2024 – NewJeans host livestream to name for Min Hee-jin’s reinstatement as CEO, calls HYBE an “inhumane firm”
All 5 members of NewJeans held a shock livestream on a now-deleted YouTube channel, the place they spoke on the continued ADOR-HYBE feud and referred to as for HYBE to reinstate Min Hee-jin again to her authentic place as ADOR’s CEO. In keeping with Hyein, the livestream was held with out the corporate’s information however organised with the assistance of “administrators that we trusted on issues we couldn’t put together ourselves”.
“We hope that HYBE makes the smart option to reinstate Min Hee-jin because the CEO of ADOR by September 25,” mentioned Minji. “The ADOR that we would like is an ADOR the place the music manufacturing and firm administration are finished by Min Hee-jin because the CEO. We make this request as the best way to cohabitate peacefully with HYBE.”
The lady group additionally claimed that HYBE have been “bullying” Min, saying that they “really feel so unhealthy” for the music govt. “HYBE simply looks as if an inhumane firm. What are we purported to be taught from such an organization?” mentioned Danielle. The band additionally opened up about disagreeable experiences with different workers inside HYBE since Min’s dismissal.
September 13, 2024 – Min Hee-jin information injunction for shareholder’s assembly to reappoint her as inner ADOR director
Min and her representatives shared a press release saying that that they had filed for a courtroom injunction for an “extraordinary basic assembly of shareholders to reappoint Min Hee-jin as an inner director of ADOR with the Seoul Central District Court docket”.
In keeping with the assertion, beneath the shareholders’ settlement, Min was assured a five-year time period as ADOR’s CEO and an inner director of the ADOR board of administrators. Regardless of the courtroom’s recognition of this, Min claimed she was “unilaterally dismissed” by HYBE regardless.
“It is a direct violation of the still-valid shareholders’ settlement and the courtroom’s injunction resolution to ensure the CEO’s time period,” the assertion learn. Min’s illustration alleged that HYBE continues to say that her settlement has been terminated “with none foundation though there are lower than two months left on [Min’s] time period as an inner director”.
HYBE responded to Min’s assertion on the identical day, claiming once more that the shareholder settlement between HYBE and Min has formally been terminated. “A lawsuit has been filed to verify the termination of the shareholder settlement, and we’re awaiting the courtroom’s resolution,” it wrote.
October 29, 2024 – Injunction dismissed by Seoul courtroom
On October 29, the Seoul Central District Court docket introduced their dismissal of her injunction, saying Min’s claims “don’t meet the necessities to represent the authorized grounds for a courtroom judgement”.
September 25, 2024 – Min Hee-jin reinstated as an inner director, request to return as CEO rejected
Min’s request to be re-appointed because the label’s CEO was rejected by ADOR. Nevertheless, the corporate had supplied her a place as an inner director, giving her a seat on the corporate’s board. Beneath the situations of the provide, Min would be capable to produce for NewJeans for the subsequent 5 years, which ADOR identified was “the entire length of the lady group’s contract”.
October 17, 2024 – Min’s time period prolonged for 3 extra years
ADOR introduced on October 17 that the music govt’s time period as a board member was prolonged for an extra three years by way of a board assembly. Her stint as an inner director with ADOR was initially as a result of expire on November 1.
October 15, 2024 – NewJeans’ Hanni shares testimonies of harassment confronted at HYBE at Nationwide Meeting
The Vietnamese-Australian singer was invited to the Nationwide Meeting to talk earlier than the South Korean Labour Committee on office harassment she’s confronted at HYBE.
Hanni claimed that, when she greeted the members of one other band on the workplaces of their report label, a supervisor instructed them to “ignore her such as you didn’t see her,” and that her considerations had been disregarded when she introduced them up.
Different allegations she made have been that workers had been bad-mouthing NewJeans on the communications app Blind, and that HYBE’s PR division had requested a journalist to downplay the group’s achievement – these had strengthened her emotions that “the corporate hated us”.
November 28, 2024 – ADOR calls for public apology from Belift Lab
Though neither a particular group nor firm have been talked about in Hanni’s claims, ADOR issued a press release demanding a public apology from fellow HYBE subsidiary Belift Lab (house to ENHYPEN and ILLIT) to Hanni for the incident. Belift Lab beforehand denied these allegations.
“Belift Lab’s claims differ fully from Hanni’s account,” it continued, though conceding that it was “unfair” and “unnecessarily harsh” to anticipate the singer to recount the incident intimately. “We totally belief our artist’s phrases and deeply remorse the hurt Hanni has skilled.”
November 14, 2024 – NewJeans allegedly threaten to go away ADOR if “grave contract breaches” weren’t rectified
The Korea Occasions first reported the issuance of NewJeans’ authorized discover to ADOR, which allegedly consists of the five-piece’s calls for to “rectify all grave breaches of the unique contracts inside 14 days of receipt”. NewJeans wrote within the letter that they “plan to revoke our unique contracts” with ADOR if these unspecified breaches stay unaddressed by the corporate.
November 20, 2024 – Min Hee-jin resigns from inner director place
“At the moment, I’m resigning from my place as an inner director at ADOR,” the Ok-pop company’s former CEO wrote in her assertion. “Moreover, I’m terminating the shareholder settlement with HYBE and intend to carry HYBE legally accountable for breaches of this settlement.”
Min wrote that she had “finished every part in my energy to uphold the shareholder settlement and restore ADOR”, nevertheless, she finally concluded that additional efforts to work with HYBE “can be a waste of time”. Following her resignation, Min mentioned she intends to pursue “obligatory authorized motion” towards the “quite a few unlawful actions dedicated by HYBE and its associates”.
November 20, 2024 – NewJean’s claims of office harassment dismissed by South Korean Labour Ministry
The South Korean Labour Ministry introduced the dismissal of a case by NewJeans followers, filed on behalf of the group in regards to the office harassment confronted at HYBE, based mostly on claims made by Hanni at her Nationwide Meeting testimony in October.
The Ministry claimed that “the content material and nature of the administration contract signed by Hanni” was what made her – and Ok-pop idols, by extension – ineligible to be legally categorized as “workers” beneath present labour legal guidelines within the nation.
The South Korean authorities as a substitute classify entertainers as “distinctive entities” as a substitute of workers in an employer-employee relationship, as they function beneath unique, commission-based contracts with administration labels.
November 27, 2024 – ‘NewJeans Hanni act’ launched at Nationwide Meeting to stop office bullying
South Korean politician Jeong Hye-kyung, member of the Progressive Get together, proposed a brand new invoice to amend present labour legal guidelines to increase authorized safety and preventative measures towards office harassment to distinctive entities.
Quickly named the ‘NewJeans Hanni act’, Jeong mentioned that everybody is entitled to safety “no matter revenue, employment relationship, or contractual relationship.”
The brand new invoice establishes new and particular provisions for each labour suppliers and entertainers by way of necessary rules for employers. It additionally introduces penalties for people who fail to stick to the rules. The modification has not but been handed as of writing.
November 26, 2024 – Min Hee-jin information felony complaints towards two HYBE PR executives
Min filed felony complaints towards two executives – named within the criticism are HYBE’s Chief Communications Officer Park Tae-hee and a PR director solely recognized as Cho.
Min’s representatives claimed that they “not solely didn’t fulfil their obligations however prompted important injury to NewJeans and ADOR by downplaying the group’s achievements”. They added that they hope “applicable felony penalties” can be imposed.
November 28, 2024 – NewJeans terminate contracts with ADOR in emergency press convention
NewJeans held an emergency press convention on November 28, the place they introduced the termination of their unique contracts with the label.
They claimed that their authorized discover to ADOR had been ignored for the total grace interval of 14 days, and ADOR’s alleged breaches of contract obligations had not been resolved by then.
“[ADOR is] an organization that now not has any sincerity within the artwork of music that’s created, is relatively fixated on showing like a well-working firm regardless of solely having ideas about being profitable, and doesn’t have any conscience in regards to the unfavourable impact they create by way of their non-authentic means,” Hanni instructed press, per Music Enterprise Worldwide.
Danielle additionally mentioned that, whereas the group might not be capable to preserve the trademark rights to the NewJeans title and model, it “doesn’t imply that we’re giving up on the title in any respect”. She said: “We are going to proceed to struggle for NewJeans. No matter our title, simply do not forget that NewJeans by no means dies.”
Relating to penalties for contract termination, Haerin claimed that it “is not sensible” for NewJeans to be liable to pay a contract breach charge. “We by no means broke any guidelines,” Haerin mentioned. “We did nothing however attempt our greatest – they’re those at fault. HYBE and ADOR are those accountable.”
After the press convention, NewJeans publicised a doc from ADOR addressing their authorized discover, allegedly despatched to them an hour after the convention was referred to as.
November 28, 2024 – ADOR refutes NewJeans’ press convention statements, claims contract “stays in full impact”
Shortly after NewJeans’ press convention, ADOR printed a press release refuting the statements made by the band. It claimed the convention was “deliberate and carried out with out adequate evaluate, previous to receiving a response to the authorized discover”.
It additionally maintained that ADOR “has not violated the phrases of the settlement” and {that a} “unilateral declare of a breach of belief doesn’t represent legitimate grounds for terminating the contract”.
Moreover, the label requested that NewJeans proceed cooperating with them shifting ahead, writing that the “unique settlement between ADOR and the NewJeans members stays in full impact”.
December 2, 2024 – Min Hee-jin denies involvement in NewJeans’ contract termination
Min sued former HYBE CEO Park Ji-won and PR chief Park Tae-hee for violating South Korean communications legal guidelines, whereas additionally submitting a lawsuit towards two Dispatch reporters for defamation. The announcement got here shortly after Dispatch printed an article accusing Min of being a “hidden hand” behind NewJeans’ public pushback towards HYBE.
“Kim and Park, even at the moment, wrote an article that’s removed from the reality. They wrote the article based mostly on a one-sided story with out verifying the info,” Min’s attorneys wrote within the press assertion. “We hope the police report will uncover their critical lies and that they’re held liable.”
December 4, 2024 – ADOR information lawsuit to confirm NewJeans’ contract validity
ADOR filed the lawsuit on December 4 with the Seoul Central District Court docket to verify the validity of its contracts with NewJeans, telling press in a press release that it felt it was “obligatory” with the intention to “guarantee its continued authorized enforcement”.
ADOR claimed that NewJeans’ actions “would significantly hinder the continued growth of Ok-pop”. The corporate additionally shared that it has “but to have the chance for direct communication with the artist,” though they’ve reassured that they continue to be “dedicated” to collaborating with NewJeans.
December 6, 2024 – NewJeans reiterate their proper to terminate contracts, declare ADOR “severely harassed” NewJeans workforce post-departure
NewJeans printed a response to ADOR’s lawsuit on December 6, the place they reiterated their proper to terminate their contracts with the corporate. They identified that “ADOR didn’t correctly assert that there have been no breaches of the unique contracts” of their lawsuit announcement, and that they’ve finished their due diligence to “return earnings exceeding the funding to ADOR and HYBE”.
Regardless of this, NewJeans accused HYBE of “try[ing] varied types of interference, together with defamation and reverse viral advertising, to devalue us”, including that the label “allowed this to occur beneath new administration”.
The band additionally accused ADOR of “secretly following us, defaming us, and spreading false info by way of media retailers”, on prime of “severely harass[ing]” and investigating workers who assisted NewJeans of their actions publish ADOR departure.
“We hope that by way of the authorized course of, the explanations for our resolution to terminate our unique contracts and ADOR’s contract violations can be totally revealed,” the assertion concluded.
December 15, 2024 – NewJeans members launch impartial Instagram account, ADOR urges towards it
On December 15, the 5 members of NewJeans – Minji, Danielle, Hanni, Haerin and Hyein – launched a brand new Instagram account @jeanzforfree as a way to speak with and replace followers post-departure from ADOR.
ADOR later launched a press release on December 18 urging the band to return to their official social media channels, citing considerations from advertisers. “Other than the official SNS accounts of NewJeans opened by ADOR, all accounts have been opened with out prior session beneath the unique contract,” the label wrote.
ADOR famous “inquiries and complaints from third events”, saying that NewJeans’ separation of actions by way of different channels might open the band and ADOR as much as authorized points involving advertisers. NewJeans have but to reply to ADOR’s assertion.
January 13, 2025 – ADOR information injunction to stop NewJeans from signing model offers
ADOR filed an injunction on January 13 to cease the NewJeans members from signing model commercial offers as impartial artists. “This resolution was made to stop confusion and potential hurt to 3rd events, together with advertisers,” it mentioned in a press release. The corporate additionally claims that by doing so, NewJeans “might undermine funding within the leisure business and destabilise the Ok-pop sector”.
January 23, 2025 – NewJeans handle ADOR’s authorized actions, rally followers to provide you with new group title
On January 23, the five-piece posted a press release to their impartial Instagram web page addressing the authorized actions ADOR has taken towards them. They shared that they’ve appointed authorized representatives to struggle their case, denounced each ADOR and HYBE and reiterate earlier claims concerning the businesses’ “[failure] to fulfil their tasks as an company to guard their artists and assist their development”.
“We are going to state this firmly: the 5 of us haven’t any intention of ever returning to HYBE or ADOR, the place even the minimal stage of belief can’t be anticipated,” NewJeans wrote. After the assertion was posted, the band made one other publish requesting new group title concepts from followers to briefly function beneath.
February 7, 2025 – NewJeans rebrand beneath new title, NJZ
The members of NewJeans unveiled their new group title by way of an announcement naming them as headliners for ComplexCon Hong Kong in March, the place they may even debut a brand new track. Their look on the pageant will mark their first efficiency as NJZ.
In an interview with CNN printed that very same day, Hanni defined that the rebrand comes as a way of “turning this tough time period into one thing extra thrilling” and that the Ok-pop group are “working quite a bit to resolve every part in order that we will go… again to regular”.
Regardless of a brand new title, Hanni additionally emphasised that they won’t be letting go of the NewJeans model: “Despite the fact that we have now to go away our earlier title behind us for a bit, we’re not totally shifting on from it. And we don’t need to both, as a result of (being NewJeans) was nonetheless a really particular time period to us, and it’s one thing that our followers additionally most likely maintain actually pricey.”
Member Danielle additionally shared that they’ve “fully misplaced all belief for the time being” in ADOR and HYBE, and believes they “will win this battle”. Hanni added that NJZ imagine “there’s nothing holding us again anymore”.
February 7, 2025 – ADOR responds to NJZ’s title rebrand, calling it “deeply regrettable”
ADOR issued a press release on February 7 addressing NewJeans’ rebrand as NJZ, saying, “It’s deeply regrettable that the members made this unilateral resolution earlier than any authorized ruling has been made concerning the validity of their unique contracts with ADOR.”
“ADOR will proceed to do our greatest to guard the model worth of NewJeans,” the label added. ADOR additionally mentioned that it’s “at all times open to assembly with NewJeans members or their authorized representatives to resolve any misunderstandings and talk about the group’s future actions”.
February 13, 2025 – NJZ’s dad and mom accuse ADOR of “exploiting” Hanni’s South Korean residency standing
NewJeans/NJZ’s dad and mom made a press release on their NJZ PR Instagram account, saying that Vietnamese-Australian member Hanni was issued a brand new working visa. In the identical assertion, in addition they accused ADOR of “pressur[ing]” Hanni and her dad and mom to signal extension paperwork that listed ADOR as her company, “stating that failure to conform might end in unlawful residency.”
The band’s dad and mom additionally addressed the onslaught of media experiences about Hanni’s visa on the time, which they are saying “brazenly speculated” about Hanni’s private info. They referred to as this “a critical violation of non-public rights”. The assertion continued: “We specific deep remorse that delicate info, which solely ADOR, because the company, might have entry to, has been recklessly disseminated by way of the media.”
February 20, 2025 – NJZ’s dad and mom declare HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk tried to cancel their ComplexCon Hong Kong efficiency
One other assertion launched to the NJZ PR Instagram web page on February 20 claimed that HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk tried to “intervene” with the group’s upcoming ComplexCon Hong Kong look, which is able to mark their first efficiency post-rebrand.
“We heard from ComplexCon workers, who have been serving to us put together for the efficiency, that HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk personally referred to as organisers within the US and urged them to cancel NewJeans’ efficiency,” they claimed. “We felt that HYBE was considering solely of being profitable and interfering with the members, relatively than cheering them on for the perfect. We additionally acquired experiences that ADOR has tried to disrupt them in different situations.”
ADOR has since denied these allegations. “ADOR has by no means tried to get NewJeans’ Hong Kong efficiency cancelled,” the label claimed. “We’ve got additionally confirmed that chairman Bang Si-hyuk has by no means contacted anybody in any respect about NewJeans’ Hong Kong efficiency.”
March 6, 2025 – NJZ declare ADOR is requesting the courtroom to ban them from all “leisure actions”
An announcement launched by NJZ and their dad and mom on March 6 claimed that ADOR has tweaked their preliminary injunction request, which was to ban them from signing impartial model offers, to additional ban them from all different “leisure actions”.
This encompasses “NJZ’s writing, composing, performing, and singing, and all different ancillary actions”, in line with their dad and mom. The group say they “suspect that the choice was taken in retaliation for the failed try to cancel the efficiency”. In addition they famous that ADOR “didn’t reveal its request for an injunction was geared toward banning all leisure actions” till a number of days in the past.
ADOR has since denied these allegations when requested to remark by NME. “We felt it was obligatory to increase the scope of the injunction because of the unilateral growth of NewJeans members’ actions, together with new music releases and abroad performances,” they wrote. The HYBE subsidiary emphasised that its goal is “to make sure that they’ll proceed their actions beneath our present contractual settlement”, relatively than “hinder the artists’ careers”.
March 7, 2025 – All 5 NJZ members attend first listening to for authorized feud with HYBE
The very first listening to for the injunction HYBE filed happened on March 7, which noticed all 5 NJZ members in attendance regardless of the shortage of necessary attendance. Throughout the listening to, NJZ’s authorized counsel reiterated the “breakdown in belief towards ADOR” as the first motive behind why they terminated their contracts, in line with The Korea Occasions.
“HYBE’s intensive media play, abandoning NewJeans to start out contemporary, ILLIT’s plagiarism controversy, and destroying the cooperative relationship with Dolphiners Movies all occurred from 2023 to 2024. Amongst HYBE’s label artists, nobody besides the defendant skilled such therapy,” they mentioned. “The essence of this case is that HYBE and the plaintiff repeatedly discriminated towards and excluded the defendant, attempting to exchange and discard them with one other group.”
To assist their case, NJZ’s attorneys shared that they have been “uncared for” for the time between their first debut analysis in March 2021 to September 2021, when LE SSERAFIM have been chosen to be HYBE’s first lady group regardless of alleged guarantees to NJZ that their debut would come first. “There was no rationalization,” they instructed the courtroom.
In addition they famous that Hanni specifically was faraway from the function of a model ambassador and changed with LE SSERAFIM. “After we checked with the model, we acquired an apology, with them saying HYBE had steered [LE SSERAFIM], and so they thought HYBE had naturally sought understanding from our facet.” they claimed.
“The present ADOR, which claims that each one the unfairness and discrimination I felt have been misunderstandings and could possibly be restored if we returned, solely deepens our wounds … We ask the courtroom to know our emotions,” Minji mentioned to reporters after the listening to.
In the meantime, ADOR’s authorized workforce argued that their success as a band was as a result of HYBE’s monetary assist, having invested KRW21billion (US$14.5million) into NJZ, calling it “unprecedented” for a single group. In addition they added that the group “had the privilege of utilizing HYBE [labelmates] BTS as PR”.
ADOR additionally described the explanations NJZ had supplied for his or her contract termination as “invalid”. “Their motive is ‘HYBE hates the defendant and discriminates towards them.’ Points which are usually disputed in different unique contract termination circumstances – unfair contracts, settlement points and lack of leisure exercise bookings – should not even talked about,” they mentioned to the courtroom.
March 7, 2025 – NJZ’s Hanni publicly speaks out towards ADOR’s use of her textual content messages in courtroom listening to
Shortly after the listening to’s conclusion, Hanni took to the band’s impartial Instagram to talk out towards the music label, particularly for his or her use of her private textual content messages with former CEO Min Hee-jin in courtroom.
NJZ through Instagram tales:
— “I bear in mind every part precisely, and I wished to say it within the courtroom earlier, however I held it in. how can u take one a part of a dialog and shift the which means of it to profit your level if view once I was the one which wrote that message. while you… pic.twitter.com/VUf2cYCQow
— Kpop Charts (@kchartsmaster) March 7, 2025
March 7, 2025 – Supply Music denies NJZ’s claims about Hanni’s model ambassadorship changed by LE SSERAFIM
After the listening to concluded, Supply Music put out a press release addressing NJZ’s claims about LE SSERAFIM got model ambassadorship from which Hanni was “eliminated”. In keeping with translations by Koreaboo, the HYBE subsidiary wrote that “LE SSERAFIM didn’t obtain any particular privileges or unfair benefits within the means of being chosen as model ambassadors for a particular model”. “This may be totally substantiated with goal proof, and we’re ready to supply clarification every time legally obligatory,” it added.
In the identical discover, Supply Music additionally refuted “the claims concerning the debut timeline and means of [NewJeans]”, saying that Min Hee-jin was accountable for “unfold[ing] false info” throughout her first press convention. “Mentioning an artist’s actual title based mostly on unverified and inaccurate info is an irresponsible and critical act that ought to by no means be finished to any artist. Such one-sided claims not solely topic fellow artists to criticism but additionally unfold misinformation to followers and the general public, creating an setting the place baseless and inaccurate claims flow into,” it continued.
쏘스뮤직에서 알려드립니다. pic.twitter.com/Z30J4FfOA5
— SOURCEMUSIC (@SOURCEMUSIC) March 7, 2025
March 21, 2025 – ADOR’s injunction towards NewJeans’ impartial actions is granted
On March 21, the Seoul Central District Court docket’s Civil Division 50 granted ADOR’s injunction, stopping NewJeans from pursuing all actions as impartial artists. The courtroom ruling notably arrived solely two days earlier than the quintet have been scheduled to headline ComplexCon Hong Kong, which marked their first efficiency beneath their rebranded moniker NJZ. The ruling restricts the quintet from working as a band with out ADOR’s specific permission.
March 21, 2025 – NewJeans file authorized objection towards ADOR injunction
A authorized objection was filed by NewJeans’ authorized workforce the identical day the courtroom granted ADOR’s injunction. Their dad and mom additionally launched a press release addressing the courtroom’s resolution, writing: “We imagine that the choice didn’t totally have in mind the entire breakdown of belief the members have skilled towards ADOR.”
NewJeans and their workforce claimed they “didn’t have adequate alternative to completely current the factual background to the courtroom” as a result of “the pressing nature of injunction proceedings”. They famous that just one listening to was held for the injunction earlier this month earlier than the ruling was made.
March 23, 2025 – NewJeans unveil new track ‘Pitstop’ and announce hiatus
Throughout their headlining ComplexCon set on March 23, NewJeans debuted a brand new monitor throughout their efficiency referred to as ‘Pitstop’. The track had been teased on their impartial Instagram web page within the weeks main as much as their efficiency.
As they wrapped up their set, NewJeans addressed their ongoing authorized feud with ADOR and introduced a short lived hiatus in accordance with the courtroom’s ruling. “We’ve got determined to cease all actions in the intervening time in accordance with the courtroom ruling. It wasn’t a simple resolution however a obligatory one,” they instructed the gang.
“Some folks might imagine staying [with ADOR] would have been higher for us, however this was about defending ourselves,” Hyein added. “We imagine we’ll come again stronger and don’t remorse our resolution.”
March 26, 2025 – NewJeans say they’re “very conscious of the extraordinary scrutiny and judgement” amid lawsuit
BBC printed an interview with the Ok-pop band on March 26, which included quotes from two classes held earlier than and after the injunction was granted. “It took an enormous quantity of braveness to talk out,” the band instructed the outlet.
“This struggle is critical. Though will probably be extraordinarily troublesome and arduous, we’ll preserve doing what we have now finished to this point and communicate up. We thought it was vital to inform the world about what we’ve been by way of. All the alternatives we’ve made to this point have been the perfect decisions we might have made.”
NewJeans described the courtroom ruling as a “shock”. Chief Minji instructed the outlet she was “surprised” upon receiving the information, and so have been the others when she knowledgeable them. “At first I assumed I didn’t hear her correctly,” Danielle added. “We have been all type of in shock.”
“There hasn’t been a single second once we’ve expressed our opinions with out fear or pressure,” Minji added. “We’ve thought greater than anybody else about how a lot duty every of our actions carries, and we’re at present bearing that duty ourselves.”
April 4, 2025 – NewJeans and ADOR attend the primary trial for his or her contract lawsuit, choose calls it a “particular case”
The primary listening to for the lawsuit filed by ADOR in December 2024 to confirm the validity of NewJeans’ contracts was held on April 4. Throughout the trial, NewJeans’ authorized workforce argued that Min Hee-jin’s preliminary departure from her function as ADOR’s CEO was a “retaliatory act by board members aligned with ADOR’s dad or mum firm, HYBE”.
ADOR’s attorneys countered that the battle between Min Hee-jin and HYBE was unrelated to the group’s dispute. “The defendants argue that they can’t perform leisure actions with out Min Hee-jin,” they claimed. “Whereas it’s true Min made important contributions to NewJeans, saying ‘there could be no NewJeans with out Min Hee-jin’ is unreasonable.”
NewJeans’ workforce refuted this, saying that “all circumstances result in the conclusion that the connection between the members and ADOR has been irreparably broken.” In addition they referred to as ADOR “successfully a distinct entity” after its administration change, “with totally different values than what the members initially signed with”.
When requested by the choose about the potential of reaching a settlement or mediation, either side have been divided. Whereas ADOR expressed hope for an settlement, NewJeans’ attorneys instructed the courtroom that they have been “not in a state of affairs the place an settlement could be thought of at the moment.” After listening to either side, the choose described the ADOR-NewJeans feud as a “particular case”.
