The legal battle involving Min Hee Jin, NewJeans and ADOR has taken another dramatic turn, with newly revealed court testimony shedding light on what has been described as an alleged behind-the-scenes strategy that fueled the ongoing conflict between the group and its agency.
On March 23, 2025, NewJeans proceeded with an independent show at ComplexCon in Hong Kong despite a court injunction prohibiting independent entertainment activities without ADOR’s approval. The group also sold merchandise under the name NJZ, attracting widespread attention.
According to ADOR, the company notified ComplexCon organizers of the court order and requested a meeting. However, company representatives said they were left waiting for several hours without being granted access. ADOR also said that an unidentified man approached and filmed members of the company’s staff, raising concerns about their safety and causing them to leave Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, NewJeans members and their families reportedly attended the event as planned, with Danielle’s mother seen at the venue.
The controversy resurfaced during the third hearing of ADOR’s damages lawsuit at the Seoul Central District Court on July 2. Defendants in the case include Danielle, Danielle’s mother, and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin.
Based on testimony presented in court during the proceedings, ADOR outlined what it described as ten key elements of Min Hee Jin’s alleged strategy.
According to the agency, Min Hee Jin would direct many aspects of NewJeans’ independent operations around ComplexCon, including stage production, costume design, merchandising and budgeting. ADOR said much of the expenses were covered by funds provided by members’ parents.
The court documents also reportedly referenced a consultancy agreement relating to the Hong Kong event. ADOR said the consultancy fees were valued at around KRW 730 million, higher than the artists’ guaranteed appearance fees. The contract itself reportedly did not explicitly identify the recipient of the advice.
ADOR further said that Min Hee Jin instructed participants involved in the NJZ profile photo shoots to maintain strict confidentiality until a new company is formed, warning that public disclosure could adversely affect ongoing litigation.
Another allegation presented in court involved the creation of a separate organization funded by members’ parents. ADOR said these funds were used not only for ComplexCon preparations but also for expenses related to future trainee facilities.
The agency also accused Min Hee Jin of facilitating contacts with a Hong Kong-based company linked to ComplexCon organizer Bonnie Chan Woo. According to ADOR, NewJeans secretly signed an exclusive agreement with the company, identified as AAO, in September last year while it was still under contract with ADOR. The company characterized this as an alleged dual contract agreement.
ADOR further argued that the September 2024 members’ livestream was strategically planned. According to testimony presented in court, Min Hee Jin believed the broadcast would help create evidence for future legal proceedings. The agency also said it later encouraged the parents to pursue the litigation by assuring them that financial losses would be minimized.
The proceedings further revisited the previous allegations of tampering. ADOR referenced previous media reports and internal conversations, claiming that Min Hee Jin herself acknowledged concerns about potential tampering while advising that some businesses remain separate from members.
The company also said Min Hee Jin suggested adding claims regarding ILLIT to NewJeans’ legal arguments, including allegations that some members mocked NewJeans. According to ADOR, these suggestions were eventually reflected in complaints filed in court.
Another issue raised concerned negotiations between ADOR and members’ families. ADOR said Min Hee Jin encouraged representatives to attend meetings by secretly recording conversations and making requests that should have been rejected, presumably to strengthen arguments for leaving the agency permanently.
The court also examined Danielle’s independent activities. ADOR stated that Danielle was the only member whose exclusive contract had been terminated due to alleged independent commercial work, including a reported collaboration with Emotional Oranges. The company said that before it learned of the project, approximately $175,000 had already been invested in production costs.
ADOR also said Danielle’s mother encouraged other parents to avoid discussing certain matters directly with the company and instead consult with legal counsel about prior matters.
The legal dispute remains ongoing. The next court hearing has been set for July 23, when both sides are expected to present further arguments and evidence as one of the Korean entertainment industry’s most closely watched legal battles continues.
Sources: Dispatch
