The negotiations between K-pop group NewJeans and ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE, have ultimately fallen through. Both parties have decided to leave their fate in the hands of the court.
On the afternoon of the 11th, the Seoul Central District Court's Civil Settlement Division 41, presided over by Judge Jeong Hoe-il, held the second mediation session regarding ADOR's lawsuit to confirm the validity of its exclusive contract with the five members of NewJeans. The session lasted for 20 minutes.
Despite efforts to resolve the legal dispute, including a first mediation session last month on the 14th, the two sides failed to reach an agreement, resulting in the breakdown of negotiations. Consequently, the court will now deliver a verdict.
In November of last year, NewJeans declared the termination of their exclusive contract, alleging that ADOR had breached the agreement, and attempted to pursue independent activities. In response, ADOR filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the exclusive contract and sought injunctions to preserve its status as the agency and to prohibit the signing of advertising contracts. The court accepted all of ADOR's requests.
During the third hearing last month, NewJeans expressed their refusal to return to ADOR, comparing the situation to "a father who committed domestic violence kicking out the mother and then telling the child who left home, 'I'll get you a better mom, so come back.'" The members also submitted a petition stating, "Telling us to return to ADOR is like telling a school violence victim to go back to where the perpetrator is."
Meanwhile, ADOR extended an invitation to NewJeans to "come back and work together," but remains firm in its refusal to meet NewJeans' primary demand for the return of Min Hee-jin. Industry analysts suggest that Min Hee-jin remains the central point of contention, with neither side willing to compromise.
With two failed mediation attempts, the court is set to deliver its verdict on October 30.