“It is impossible to return to Ador”- NewJeans announces plans to appeal court ruling upholding validity of exclusive contract with the label

On Thursday, October 30, the Court ruled in favour of ADOR, upholding the validity of the agency's exclusive contract with NewJeans. The 41st Civil Agreement Division of the Seoul Central District Court presided by Judge Jeong Hoe-il gave the final verdict on the lawsuit that has been taking place between NewJeand and ADOR for over a year.

The court explained that the contract between the two parties is still valid, thereby denying the K-pop girl group's termination with their agency. Following the final verdict, NewJeans released an official statement on the court's decision, expressing that they are not willing to return to ADOR. They confirmed through the statement that they will be filing an appeal to reconsider the final verdict.

This means that a higher court will be reevaluating the verdict put forth by the lower court. In the statement, they also requested the court to further review the facts and legal principles regarding their request to terminate the exclusive contract with ADOR, and also highlighted the lack of trust between the two parties to continue with their entertainment activities under the agency.

Here's what the group's legal counsel, SHIN & KIM LLC, wrote on behalf of the members:

"Today, the Seoul Central District Court shared its judgment in the lawsuit filed by ADOR, seeking confirmation of the validity of their exclusive contract with [NewJeans]. The court ruled that the exclusive contract is to remain valid."

The statement continued,

"The members respect the court's judgment, but maintain the position that it is impossible to return to ADOR and continue normal entertainment activities in the current situation, where the relationship of trust with ADOR has been completely broken."

The legal counsel conclusively wrote,

"Accordingly, the members plan to immediately appeal the first-instance ruling and hope that the appellate court will comprehensively review the facts and the legal principles regarding the termination of the exclusive contract once again to deliver a wise judgment. Finally, we express our sincere gratitude to the fans who have waited and supported us for a long time. Thank you."

---

All you need to know about the lawsuit between ADOR and NewJeans regarding termination of exclusive contract

Last year, following NewJeans' confession through an emergency YouTube livestream, the members expressed their interest in departing ADOR due to alleged workplace harassment, lack of trust, and other related issues. The members provided the agency with a 14-day ultimatum to meet certain demands put forth by the group in order for them to continue working under ADOR.

However, in November 2024, the group held an emergency press conference announcing their departure from ADOR due to the agency's inability to meet the ultimatum. Following this, the agency filed a lawsuit against the group, stating that the exclusive contract binding the two continues to be valid, and the termination cannot be provided.

The court reviewed the issue, and the lawsuit unfolded for over a year. The final verdict was announced on October 30, and the court ruled in favour of ADOR, thereby upholding the validity of the exclusive contract shared by the two agencies.

Here's what Judge Jeong Hoe-il expressed through the final verdict:

"It is difficult to say that the defendants' (NewJeans)' continuing their entertainment activities with the plaintiff (ADOR) is something that goes against their free will or as forcing them to fulfill their exclusive contract."

The verdict continued,

"We recognize that the exclusive contract will remain valid and that ADOR will be the management company for NewJeans under the exclusive contract. The exclusive contract signed on April 21, 2022, between ADOR and NewJeans will remain valid. The defendants shall bear the costs of the litigation."

---

Therefore, the conflict between ADOR and NewJeans continues to extend as the group filed an appeal following their recent loss in the lawsuit with the agency.

Edited by Aishwarya Sai