On August 14, the Seoul Central District Court's Civil Division 41, presided over by Judge Jeong Hee-il, conducted the first mediation session regarding ADOR's lawsuit to confirm the validity of their exclusive contract with NewJeans members. The session, held privately, ended without resolution. The next session is set for September 11.
Members Minji and Danielle arrived at the court at 1:43 PM, facing questions from the press about the possibility of reaching an agreement and the conditions proposed by ADOR. Minji remained silent, while Danielle apologized and smiled at the reporters.
The court had requested the presence of the members to facilitate direct dialogue, hoping to find a resolution to the dispute. The mediation lasted 1 hour and 20 minutes, with a 50-minute recess. Afterward, Minji and Danielle left without making any statements.
Both parties have kept the details of the discussions confidential, as advised by the court.
Industry insiders believe that the return of former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin is central to the mediation. NewJeans has consistently demanded a return to "Min Hee-jin's ADOR."
During the third hearing last month, NewJeans compared ADOR's actions to a scenario where an abusive father asks his children to return home, promising a better mother. They expressed their refusal to return.
In their petition, the members likened returning to ADOR to asking a victim of school violence to return to their aggressor.
Meanwhile, ADOR has extended an invitation for NewJeans to return and work together, though they remain opposed to the key demand of reinstating Min Hee-jin.
If mediation is successful, it will have the same effect as a court settlement.
Choi Ji-ye, TenAsia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr