MUSIC
NewJeans and ADOR Clash in Legal Battle Over Contract Validity
On the afternoon of the 24th, the third hearing of the lawsuit regarding the validity of the exclusive contract between ADOR and NewJeans members took place at the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Kim Yoo-sung. The arguments from both sides were in direct conflict.
ADOR claimed that former CEO Min Hee-jin was behind NewJeans' contract termination notice. They argued that controversies such as the plagiarism allegations against the group I-LIT and the so-called 'ignore' incident were merely fabricated excuses to justify the contract termination. ADOR emphasized that they have fulfilled their obligations regarding artist management and that the trust relationship remains intact.
They further stated that the claim that the contract is void because Min Hee-jin resigned as a producer distorts the essence of the exclusive contract, making it difficult to see it as a valid reason for termination.
Conversely, NewJeans argued that the dispute began with an audit initiated by HYBE in April 2023 to oust Min Hee-jin. They claimed that the embezzlement allegations against Min Hee-jin were dismissed without charges, leaving NewJeans to suffer the consequences.
NewJeans compared the situation to telling a victim of school violence to 'go back and endure it,' and likened it to saying, 'The nurturing mother was expelled, but the abusive father promises a better mother if you return.'
They pleaded, "Let the children go, or return them to ADOR, whom they trusted, by April 2024. If so, a comeback is possible. We hope for a platform to negotiate this through mediation."
Both parties will enter formal mediation following this hearing. The court has scheduled a private mediation session for August 14 at 2 PM, which, if successful, will have the same effect as a court settlement. However, if mediation fails, the court has tentatively set October 30 as the date for the verdict.
Choi Ji-ye, TenAsia Reporter, wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr
