"We are disappointed by the court's decision. It seems like Korea wants to make us revolutionaries."
NewJeans expressed their stance on the court's injunction decision in an interview with Time magazine's online edition on the 22nd (KST). The court had fully accepted Ador's request for an injunction to prohibit NewJeans from engaging in independent activities and signing advertising contracts, which was decided on the 21st. NewJeans stated, "We did not expect the issues within the K-pop industry to change overnight," and emphasized the need for change and growth to confront this reality.
Due to this court decision, NewJeans cannot pursue independent activities unless they win the main lawsuit. However, some in the music and legal industries believe that "this decision might actually benefit the individual members of NewJeans." If the injunction had been dismissed, NewJeans might have continued independent activities under the name NJZ, but losing the main lawsuit later could have resulted in significant compensation liabilities.
Industry insiders summarize the situation as "a potential disaster that could have been difficult to manage has been averted." Nam-kyung Lee, Director of the Korea Management Federation, stated, "The court recognized the validity of the contract between NewJeans and Ador through this decision," adding that without the court's decision, NewJeans would have faced a significant burden from potential losses in the main lawsuit while pursuing independent activities.
Attorney Sang-rok Ko from the law firm Phil commented, "If the injunction had been dismissed, NewJeans members might have faced more difficulties with potential penalty lawsuits in the future." He evaluated the court's decision as an opportunity to prevent such issues for NewJeans members. He also noted that "the court's decision to halt NewJeans' independent activities opens up room for compromise between the members and Ador."
The five members of NewJeans released a statement on the 21st, the day of the court's decision, saying, "We respect the court's decision," but argued that "the decision did not fully consider the complete breakdown of trust between the members and Ador." They stated their intention to "challenge additional issues through the court's objection procedures."
NewJeans also confirmed their participation in the Complex Concert in Hong Kong on the 23rd as planned. Ador stated that they would "provide support to ensure the performance proceeds under Ador's affiliation." However, it is reported that the name under which they will perform has not been discussed with Ador.
The five members of NewJeans began independent activities last November, claiming that "Ador violated the exclusive contract, leading to its termination." Ador, asserting the contract's validity, filed for an injunction to prohibit independent activities and signing advertising contracts, which was fully accepted by the Seoul Central District Court's Civil Division 50 (Chief Judge Sang-hoon Kim) on the 21st.
Lee Min-kyung, TenAsia Reporter 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr