NewJeans - ADOR Legal Battle: Girl Group Responds to Lawsuit; Released New Statement

By Ilin Mathew
December 6, 2024 14:09 +08

The legal battle between the K-pop girl group NewJeans and the entertainment agency ADOR continues. The girl group members Minji, Hani, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein recently responded to the company's lawsuit against them. Explaining their stand, the five-member band released an official statement. According to the statement, there is no reason for the idols to continue working with the firm.

The girl group members stated that the exclusive agreement mentioned they have the right to terminate the contract if ADOR fails to fulfill its obligations. The idols further said they find it unreasonable to force them to work for another five years after breaking their trust.

"ADOR has filed a lawsuit seeking a court ruling on the legality of this termination, but this is merely a procedural step to obtain post-facto confirmation from the court. We deeply regret that ADOR has issued a statement misleading the public into believing that the contracts are still valid. To reiterate, as of November 29, 2024, we are no longer affiliated with ADOR. ADOR has no right to interfere with or get involved in our activities," the five-member girl group explained.

'Horrified and Disgusted'

Through the new statement, NewJeans members Minji, Hani, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein shared their concerns and expressed their struggles. They stated that it is horrifying and disgusting that ADOR is secretly following them and spreading false information through media outlets. The K-pop idols said the entertainment company severely harassed the managers and performing directors who helped them complete the remaining scheduled activities.

The entertainment company confiscated their laptops and investigated their activities. The girl band members said it was painful to witness them helplessly. So, it is difficult for them to continue working with a firm with inhumane and unethical actions. Though it will be struggling, they continue their legal battle against the agency.

"Even after the CEO was replaced, ADOR failed to address the numerous issues with HYBE, did not protect us, and did not demand improvements from another label that defamed us and spread false information. We deeply regret that ADOR, consistently offering evasive excuses, has filed a lawsuit. However, we hope that through the legal process, the reasons for our decision to terminate our exclusive contracts and ADOR's contract violations will be fully revealed," the girl group members stated.

Here is the Complete Statement by NewJeans:

Hello,

This is Minji, Hani, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein.

We feel deeply apologetic to release this statement amidst such a tumultuous situation.

Recently, we learned through the media that ADOR filed a lawsuit seeking confirmation that our exclusive contracts are still valid. In their statement, ADOR failed to properly assert that there were no breaches of the exclusive contracts, instead repeatedly claiming that the contracts cannot be terminated until the company recoups its support and investments.

However, we have already returned profits exceeding the investment to ADOR and HYBE. Despite this, HYBE has attempted various forms of interference, including defamation and reverse viral marketing, to devalue us, and ADOR has allowed this to happen under new management. This is akin to the company producing malicious comments against us, the very artists they are supposed to protect. Considering this breakdown in trust, we have concluded that we are likely to suffer even more harm in the future.

Our trust in ADOR and HYBE, who have repeatedly violated contract terms and failed to fulfill their duty to protect their artists, has already collapsed. According to the terms of our exclusive contracts, there is no longer any reason for us to continue working with ADOR and HYBE.

The exclusive contract clearly states that if ADOR fails to fulfill its contractual obligations, we have the right to terminate the contract.

Forcing us to work for another five years despite this breakdown in trust and contract violations is not only unreasonable but also inhumane.

We gave ADOR a 14-day grace period to rectify the contract violations, but ADOR failed to do so. Consequently, we notified ADOR of the contract termination in accordance with the exclusive contracts, and this termination took immediate effect.

ADOR has filed a lawsuit seeking a court ruling on the legality of this termination, but this is merely a procedural step to obtain post-facto confirmation from the court. We deeply regret that ADOR has issued a statement misleading the public into believing that the contracts are still valid.

To reiterate, as of November 29, 2024, we are no longer affiliated with ADOR. ADOR has no right to interfere with or get involved in our activities.

Despite publicly announcing attempts at dialogue and reconciliation, we were horrified and disgusted to learn that ADOR was secretly following us, defaming us, and spreading false information through media outlets. However, no matter how much they try to sow discord, the five of us remain united, and no one can tear us apart.

After announcing the termination of our exclusive contracts, we have been diligently fulfilling our remaining activities scheduled with ADOR as promised. However, the managers and performance directors who are helping with these activities are being severely harassed, having their laptops confiscated and being subjected to sudden investigations by ADOR and HYBE, and we witnessed them in tears as a result. It is difficult for us to comprehend such unethical and inhumane actions by the company, and it pains us to see that the harm caused by this company extends beyond us.

Although we anticipate a challenging road ahead, we dream of a life where we can engage in healthy musical activities with our fans who love us. We are determined to make that dream a reality.

Even after the CEO was replaced, ADOR failed to address the numerous issues with HYBE, did not protect us, and did not demand improvements from another label that defamed us and spread false information. We deeply regret that ADOR, which consistently offered evasive excuses, has now filed a lawsuit. However, we hope that through the legal process, the reasons for our decision to terminate our exclusive contracts and ADOR's contract violations will be fully revealed.

We want to become courageous and healthy individuals. We sincerely thank everyone who has supported us so far and ask for your continued interest and love for the five of us.

Thank you.