On July 2, the 31 Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court held the third hearing in ADOR’s damages lawsuit against Danielle, her mother, and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin.
Danielle
" data-large-file="https://cdn.kbizoom.com/media/2026/01/15020810/danielle-chinese-sns-account-49457247d3194e038ce1542fc8d04f42jpg-gg91cvz7tzvnyyzf8ei8ewighcmkx4cq0iyb59nnbyq-573x801.jpg" alt="danielle's chinese sns account" class="wp-image-904911" srcset="https://cdn.kbizoom.com/media/2026/01/15020810/danielle-chinese-sns-account-49457247d3194e038ce1542fc8d04f42jpg-gg91cvz7tzvnyyzf8ei8ewighcmkx4cq0iyb59nnbyq-573x801.jpg 573w, https://cdn.kbizoom.com/media/2026/01/15020810/danielle-chinese-sns-account-49457247d3194e038ce1542fc8d04f42jpg-gg91cvz7tzvnyyzf8ei8ewighcmkx4cq0iyb59nnbyq-215x300.jpg 215w, https://cdn.kbizoom.com/media/2026/01/15020810/danielle-chinese-sns-account-49457247d3194e038ce1542fc8d04f42jpg-gg91cvz7tzvnyyzf8ei8ewighcmkx4cq0iyb59nnbyq-400x559.jpg 400w, https://cdn.kbizoom.com/media/2026/01/15020810/danielle-chinese-sns-account-49457247d3194e038ce1542fc8d04f42jpg-gg91cvz7tzvnyyzf8ei8ewighcmkx4cq0iyb59nnbyq.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 573px) 100vw, 573px"/>During the hearing, ADOR argued this Danielle had been independently engaging in entertainment without agency approval. The company cited several examples, including an attempted collaboration with the American band Emotional Oranges, participation in photo shoots for foreign magazines and signing a sponsorship deal with an international luxury watch brand. According to ADOR, Danielle was the only member of NewJeans who pursued individual music-related activities outside of the agency.
The agency also expressed concern alleged double contracts involving a Chinese company. ADOR said so while the other members attempted to resolve the issue after returning to the agency, Danielle did not reveal the relevant information. Additionally, the company contested the members’ decision to form a separate entertainment association, claiming that it worked similarly to a sole management agreement.
Danielle’s legal team has firmly rejected those claims. They supported him the proposed collaboration with Emotional Oranges has never generated any financial compensation or commercial profit. Its representatives also insisted on this point many of the examples presented by ADOR were not unique to Danielle but involved activities carried out collectively by all NewJeans membersaccusing the agency of exaggerating isolated incidents.
ADOR filed a lawsuit for damages after terminating Danielle’s exclusive contract in December last year. The agency claims that the ongoing dispute significantly contributed to the departure of some NewJeans members and delayed their return, and therefore believes that Danielle’s side and former CEO Min Hee Jin should be held legally responsible.
The agency originally sought damages of around KRW 43.09 billion, but has since reduced its claim to KRW 33.09 billion, according to documents recently submitted to the court.
The legal conflict has also highlighted the different paths taken by NewJeans members since the first instance ruling in the exclusive contract case last October. Hanni, Haerin, and Hyein have returned to ADOR, while Minji is reportedly still discussing her future with the agency. Danielle, meanwhile, continues to pursue her case in court.
Sources: Daum
