NewJeans Threatens to Terminate Contract with ADOR Amid Legal Dispute

The K-pop group NewJeans has sent a legal notice to their agency, ADOR, stating that they will terminate their exclusive contract if their demands are not met. This move is expected to lead to a legal dispute between ADOR and NewJeans, following HYBE's principle-driven response strategy.

The five members of NewJeans—Kim Minji, Hanni Pham, Danielle Marsh, Kang Haerin, and Lee Hyein—sent the notice on the 13th, demanding that ADOR rectify significant breaches of their contract within 14 days of receiving the letter.

While the specifics of the breaches and demands have not been fully disclosed, the notice references a recent parliamentary audit where it was revealed that HYBE allegedly decided to 'abandon New (referring to NewJeans) and start anew,' urging ADOR to take all necessary actions as their management company.

The group highlighted a phrase from HYBE's internal monitoring document, which stated, 'We were troubled by the wording of NewAr (NewJeans, I-Land, Le Sserafim) for days, but abandoning New and starting anew is the solution.'

NewJeans declared that they would terminate their contract if ADOR does not comply with their demands. They also addressed circulating rumors about their families and associates, stating that they have no connection to these rumors and will take firm action against those spreading false information.

The 'Min Hee-jin incident,' which began with an audit related to the former ADOR CEO's management rights in April, has now escalated to a potential contract dispute with NewJeans, signaling a crisis.

In response, HYBE, ADOR's parent company, has stated that they have not yet received the legal notice but will continue to respond according to their principles. The industry anticipates that NewJeans and HYBE-ADOR will eventually engage in a legal battle over the contract dispute.

Reported by Jiye Choi, TenAsia, wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr