NewJeans Set to Perform in Hong Kong Amidst Legal Dispute with Agency

NewJeans, whose independent activities have been baned, expressed their feelings ahead of the Hong Kong performance.

On the 23rd, NewJeans will headline at the Hong Kong ComplexCon held at the AsiaWorld-Expo. Through their NJZ social media account, NewJeans shared, "We've arrived safely in Hong Kong," and added, "It's been a while since we've been on stage, so let's enjoy it to the fullest together."

They continued, "With our fans, the Bunnies, even tough times can become cherished memories. We're already feeling nervous, but we hope our love for the stage and our fans, as well as our passion for music, comes through."

On the 21st, the Seoul Central District Court's Civil Division 50, led by Chief Judge Kim Sang-hoon, ruled in favor of Adore's injunction against NewJeans members, which included 'preservation of agency status and prohibition of advertising contracts.' As a result, NewJeans is expected to perform under their original name rather than NJZ.

Adore stated, "Having legally confirmed our status as NewJeans' agency, we will fully support the artists moving forward. We plan to provide ample support for the ComplexCon performance this weekend under the name of NewJeans, part of Adore."

Adore maintains that their exclusive contract with NewJeans is valid until July 31, 2029. In December last year, Adore filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the exclusive contract and, on January 6, applied for an injunction to preserve agency status and prohibit advertising contracts. They also expanded the injunction to include a ban on NewJeans' music activities, including songwriting, composing, and singing, as well as other entertainment activities.

In November last year, NewJeans held an emergency press conference to announce the termination of their contract with Adore. The members have maintained their stance that the contract is void and have pursued independent activities. Despite the court's injunction, they continue to operate their NJZ social media account.

By Ji-won Kim, TenAsia Reporter one@tenasia.co.kr