South Korean Court Upholds Injunction Against K-pop Group NewJeans in Label Dispute

NewJeans plans to challenge the court's decision as they assert ongoing mistreatment by Ador, complicating their quest for artistic independence.

The South Korean girl group NewJeans finds itself embroiled in a significant legal battle after a Seoul Central District Court granted an injunction against their attempts to sever ties with the record label Ador. The court's ruling bars the quintet from engaging in any commercial activities without approval from Ador.

The conflict traces back to November, when NewJeans publicly declared their intention to part ways with Ador, citing allegations of mistreatment. Following this announcement, they rebranded as NJZ and have since been pushing for autonomy. Nevertheless, Ador retaliated by filing a lawsuit to affirm its contractual rights over the band.

NewJeans has expressed its commitment to appealing the court's ruling, stating that it unfairly overlooked the deterioration of trust between the members and the label. "The complete breakdown of trust has not been adequately represented," NJZ conveyed in a statement, expressing dissatisfaction with the judicial proceedings. They claim that they were not given a fair chance to present their side of the story.

In contrast, Ador welcomed the court's decision, asserting its stance as the official management agency of NewJeans. The label expressed eagerness to support the group moving forward and suggested it was ready to engage with them for a constructive discussion in the near future.

Amidst these tensions, both parties have confirmed that NewJeans will still acquire their presence at the ComplexCon festival in Hong Kong this weekend, adding another layer of complexity to their public image and commercial viability.

The friction between NewJeans and Ador has been a captivating saga for fans, particularly due to the role of Min Hee-Jin, the group's executive producer. Tensions peaked after Hybe, Ador's parent company, replaced Ms. Min as CEO last year, leading the group to advocate for her reinstatement. When Hybe declined their request, NewJeans opted to exit the label, setting the stage for an ongoing feud that continues to draw attention in the K-pop world.