South Korean Court Rules Against NewJeans in Label Dispute

In a dramatic legal battle, the girl group NewJeans faces a setback as a South Korean court upholds their label, Ador's, authority, obstructing the artists' efforts to separate from the label while they prepare to appeal the decision.

The K-pop sensation NewJeans is currently embroiled in a significant legal conflict with their record label, Ador. On Friday, the Seoul Central District Court granted an injunction preventing the group from pursuing independent commercial activities, thus reinforcing Ador's management rights over the artists. This ruling presents a major obstacle to NewJeans' desires to release new music, facilitate their own performances, and enter into autonomous advertising contracts.

NewJeans, which was founded as a five-member group, officially announced their separation from Ador last November citing allegations of mistreatment, subsequently rebranding themselves as NJZ. In retaliation, Ador filed a lawsuit to affirm its contractual rights concerning the group. The members have expressed their intent to contest the court's ruling, claiming they were unable to fully convey the extent of their grievances against the label.

“In light of the ruling, we feel that the court did not adequately consider the severe breakdown of trust between the members and Ador,” NJZ stated in their defense. The company disputes the allegations, asserting that their legal status has been confirmed and expressing their dedication to supporting the artists in the future.

Despite the ongoing tensions, both parties have confirmed that NewJeans will perform at the upcoming ComplexCon festival in Hong Kong this weekend. This dispute, which has captivated fans since it began last August, centers around Min Hee-Jin, the group's executive producer. Following Hybe, Ador's parent company, replacing Min as CEO last year, the NewJeans members publicly requested her reinstatement, which Hybe declined, prompting their decision to sever ties.

Hybe is known for its association with BTS, another globally-acclaimed K-pop act, and the ongoing saga reflects the complexities and challenges within the K-pop industry.