The legal battle between K-pop group NewJeans and their agency ADOR continues as the first hearing on March 7 ended without resolution. A second hearing is scheduled for June 5. The court previously ruled in favor of ADOR’s injunction request, putting NewJeans at a disadvantage. Legal experts now weigh in on whether the group can still win their contract validity lawsuit, especially as ADOR’s former CEO Min Hee Jin is also locked in a dispute with parent company HYBE.
NewJeans Must Win Contract Validity Lawsuit to Break Free from ADOR
The court rejected NewJeans’ objection to ADOR’s injunction, but legal experts clarify that this does not determine the outcome of the main lawsuit. Bae Jin Sung, an entertainment lawyer at Law Firm Myoungjae, explained:
“Wednesday’s rejected objection regarding the injunction does not affect the outcome of the main lawsuit, though the injunction can still be challenged further within an appeal process.”
He emphasized that NewJeans must win the exclusive contract validity lawsuit if they want to terminate their ties with ADOR. The group has accused ADOR of mistreatment, listing 11 allegations that they claim void their contract. ADOR has denied these claims.
How HYBE vs. Min Hee Jin Could Indirectly Impact NewJeans’ Case
The legal battle between HYBE and Min Hee Jin revolves around her contract termination and her right to exercise a 26 billion KRW put option after selling part of her stake in ADOR. While some see this as connected to NewJeans’ case, Bae Jin Sung says the two lawsuits are separate.
“The shareholder dispute between HYBE and Min Hee Jin is over the terms of their shareholder agreement. While elements of that conflict may surface as context in ADOR’s injunction, it is difficult to say the two cases are directly connected.”
He added that while the cases might influence each other indirectly, the legal issues differ.
“Even if Min wins, NewJeans could still lose the main lawsuit against ADOR.”
This means NewJeans’ future remains uncertain, as their case depends on proving ADOR violated their contract terms—not on Min Hee Jin’s separate legal fight.
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Credits: The Korea Herald, HYBE official statements, legal expert analysis
