ADOR explained in court why it decided to terminate its exclusive contract with Danielle and file a damages lawsuit against her, while several other NewJeans members have already returned to the agency.
On July 2, the 31st Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court held the third hearing in the case involving Danielle, her mother, and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin.
During the hearing, ADOR claimed that Danielle was the only member who independently carried out musical and commercial activities without the company’s approval. The agency argued that these actions violated its exclusive contract.
One of the main points raised by ADOR concerns Danielle’s alleged collaboration with American band Emotional Oranges, AllKPop reported.
According to the agency, recording sessions and production costs related to the project showed that Danielle had already started carrying out activities outside of ADOR before officially terminating her contractual situation.
ADOR also presented financial documents relating to NJZ, the provisional name adopted by the members after announcing the termination of their contracts.
The company argued that NJZ was effectively operating as an entertainment company created to continue activities that violated the group’s exclusive agreements.
ADOR blames Danielle and Min Hee Jin in court
According to KPopHit, the agency further said that Danielle, her family, and Min Hee Jin should be held responsible for the alleged contract violations, the group’s departure from ADOR, and the delays in the members’ return to the company.
Danielle’s legal representatives strongly denied these allegations during the hearing.
His side argued that ADOR was simply reusing evidence that had already been presented in previous court proceedings in an attempt to make Danielle appear as the sole member responsible for the dispute.
His legal team also rejected the allegations regarding emotional oranges. “As far as we know, no separate payment has been made relating to Emotional Oranges,” Danielle’s legal team said.
They also pointed out that NJZ was a group activity involving all members, questioning why Danielle was singled out in the lawsuit.
ADOR initially requested damages of approximately KRW 43.09 billion, or approximately $31.7 million. However, the company later reduced the amount to approximately KRW 33.09 billion, or $24.4 million.
