"We have finished preparations for the release of a full-length album and are waiting"- ADOR responds following lawsuit win and NewJeans' appeal plans

On October 30, 2025 KST, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that K-pop group NewJeans must uphold their exclusive contract with their agency ADOR until 2029. The decision dismissed the members’ attempt to terminate their agreement earlier than scheduled.

ADOR responded to the court’s decision, expressing that they were awaiting the members’ next steps and hope the situation encourages reflection on both sides. In their statement on the first trial ruling, the company reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities as a management agency and revealed that preparations for NewJeans’ upcoming full-length album were completed.

"We will also once again keep in mind the role and duty of a management company as required by the exclusive contract. As we stated during the main trial, we have finished preparations for the release of a full-length album and are waiting. We will do our best to return to our fans through discussions with the artist." ADOR stated.

ADOR also noted that the court recognized the agency had not violated its management obligations and concluded that efforts to terminate the contracts on the basis of a supposed loss of trust were unfounded. The company expressed appreciation for the judgment, viewing it as confirmation of their adherence to contractual duties.

The South Korean music label further recalled the series of legal actions that took place since November of the previous year. They talked about the members’ initial contract termination request, the subsequent lawsuit and the injunction application aimed at maintaining stability during the proceedings.

The agency then highlighted how the court consistently ruled in their favor throughout the process. Reiterating their stance, they stated that the decision served as an opportunity for both parties to reassess the situation. They added,

"We sincerely hope that today's result, which has verified various claims and facts over a long period of time and has once again resulted in a ruling with the same intent, will serve as an opportunity for the artists to calmly reflect on this matter.

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NewJeans to appeal court ruling upholding exclusive contract with Ador until 2029

Following the ruling, the members of NewJeans on the other hand, announced plans to appeal the verdict from the first trial concerning the validity of their exclusive contracts. Sejong Law Firm, representing the 5 members, released a statement acknowledging the court’s judgment. However, they emphasized that the trust between NewJeans and ADOR were irreparably damaged.

The firm stated that it would be impossible for the group to continue normal entertainment activities under the agency and confirmed their intention to proceed with an appeal. They expressed hopes that the appellate court would thoroughly reassess the facts and legal principles surrounding the termination of the contracts. The members also extended their gratitude to saying,

"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the fans who have waited for a long time and supported us."

The 41st Civil Affairs Division of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Jeong Hoe-il, ruled in favor of ADOR in the lawsuit filed against the NewJeans members, reaffirming that the exclusive contracts remain valid. The decision, issued nearly a year after the members first sought to end their contract, upheld ADOR’s lawsuit that aimed to confirm the contract’s validity.

The court determined that the agency had not violated its management obligations, and therefore, the grounds presented by the group for termination were insufficient. A major point of contention in the case was the dismissal of ADOR’s former CEO, Min Hee-jin. The members argued that her departure had damaged their trust in the agency and disrupted their artistic activities. However, the court ruled that her removal did not justify ending the contract, emphasizing that Ador still retained the capacity to manage the group effectively.

The court also stated that Min’s position as CEO was not indispensable for her to contribute to NewJeans’ projects, as she could continue to work with the group in other professional roles such as a producer or external director. Regarding claims of a breakdown in trust, the court concluded that the relationship between the artists and the agency had not deteriorated to a degree that warranted dissolving the contract.

The dispute between ADOR and NewJeans began in November of 2024 when the group declared their contract void following the company's refusal to reinstate Min Hee-jin. The members announced plans to pursue independent activities under the name of NJZ.

ADOR subsequently filed a lawsuit in December to confirm the contract’s validity, insisting that it remained legally binding. The agency also filed for a preliminary injunction to restrict the members from pursuing solo or independent activities until a final ruling was issued, that the court also approved.

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According to Tenasia, NewJeans’ exclusive contract with Ador is set to remain in effect until July 31, 2029. However, the duration can get extended, as the contract’s term is suspended during the legal proceedings.

Edited by Adrija Chakraborty