The popular South Korean group, in a heartfelt farewell at a recent concert, revealed their decision to pause all activities amidst their ongoing dispute with their label, Ador.
NewJeans Announces Break Amid Legal Battle with Label Ador
NewJeans Announces Break Amid Legal Battle with Label Ador
K-pop sensation NewJeans halts activities following court ruling against them.
NewJeans, the rising stars in the K-pop scene, are taking a break from all public engagements after an unfavorable ruling in their legal battle against Ador, their record label. During a performance at ComplexCon in Hong Kong, the five-member group announced this decision, indicating that their show would be their "last performance for a little while." The ruling, handed down by a Seoul court, restricts the group from organizing appearances, producing new music, or engaging in advertising partnerships until the contractual dispute is resolved.
The group, now also known as NJZ as part of their rebranding efforts, has sought to distance themselves from Ador due to allegations of mistreatment. The concert marked their first public appearance following the court ruling. In an emotional segment, members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Heyin expressed gratitude toward their fans and acknowledged the difficulty of their decision. "Out of respect for the court's decision, we've decided to pause all our activities for now," they explained, underscoring their commitment to returning stronger in the future.
The group also emphasized the importance of standing up for their rights and dignity, reaffirming that their values will not change despite the challenges they face. The performance culminated an electrifying set in front of more than 11,000 enthusiastic fans at AsiaWorld Expo Arena, which is Hong Kong's largest live music venue. Despite the tense situation, they performed under the name NJZ, seemingly in defiance of the recent court order.
In response to the performance, Ador expressed disappointment, stating they regret the group's decision to perform using a name other than NewJeans, violating the court's ruling. The label reiterated its commitment to supporting the group in accordance with their contract and expressed a desire to engage in discussions about the future direction.
This legal turmoil has been ongoing since August 2024, with the group bringing forth several grievances, including claims of workplace harassment made by Hanni. The Seoul court maintained that NewJeans did not sufficiently demonstrate that Ador had violated their contract obligations, affirming that the label had fulfilled most of its commitments, including timely payments.
Despite the current setback, NewJeans is recognized as one of the most promising talents in the K-pop realm, celebrated for their unique fusion of 1990s R&B and contemporary pop sounds. They ranked as the eighth biggest-selling musical act globally in 2023 and earned a nomination for Best Group at the MTV Awards last year.
The group, now also known as NJZ as part of their rebranding efforts, has sought to distance themselves from Ador due to allegations of mistreatment. The concert marked their first public appearance following the court ruling. In an emotional segment, members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Heyin expressed gratitude toward their fans and acknowledged the difficulty of their decision. "Out of respect for the court's decision, we've decided to pause all our activities for now," they explained, underscoring their commitment to returning stronger in the future.
The group also emphasized the importance of standing up for their rights and dignity, reaffirming that their values will not change despite the challenges they face. The performance culminated an electrifying set in front of more than 11,000 enthusiastic fans at AsiaWorld Expo Arena, which is Hong Kong's largest live music venue. Despite the tense situation, they performed under the name NJZ, seemingly in defiance of the recent court order.
In response to the performance, Ador expressed disappointment, stating they regret the group's decision to perform using a name other than NewJeans, violating the court's ruling. The label reiterated its commitment to supporting the group in accordance with their contract and expressed a desire to engage in discussions about the future direction.
This legal turmoil has been ongoing since August 2024, with the group bringing forth several grievances, including claims of workplace harassment made by Hanni. The Seoul court maintained that NewJeans did not sufficiently demonstrate that Ador had violated their contract obligations, affirming that the label had fulfilled most of its commitments, including timely payments.
Despite the current setback, NewJeans is recognized as one of the most promising talents in the K-pop realm, celebrated for their unique fusion of 1990s R&B and contemporary pop sounds. They ranked as the eighth biggest-selling musical act globally in 2023 and earned a nomination for Best Group at the MTV Awards last year.
