ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE and the label involved in a contract dispute with girl group NewJeans, has filed an injunction to prohibit members from signing independent advertising contracts.
The label announced in an official statement its appeal to the Seoul Central District Court for an “injunction to preserve agency status and prohibit advertising contracts” against members of NewJeans, according to a report from TenAsia.
“The final decision on the ‘exclusive contract confirmation’ case filed by ADOR in December last year may take a long time. We requested this injunction to urgently avoid the current confusion,” the agency said in a statement from January 13th.
ADOR explained that members’ attempts to independently contact advertisers and sign contracts could create confusion for advertisers who have joined the group’s activities with the label.
The injunction, the label added, is a testament to their intent to continue the exclusive contract with NewJeans.
“This injunction reflects ADOR’s intent to continue working with NewJeans,” the label explained.
“We have consistently supported NewJeans’ entertainment operations with all necessary staff and facilities and intend to continue to do so.”
The NewJeans girls unilaterally declared their decision to terminate their exclusive contract with ADOR at a press conference in November.
The group’s five members – Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein – have since made independent inroads into advertising contracts, raising concerns and facing repercussions for organizations such as the Korea Producers Association and the Korea Music Content Association.
Amid the ongoing contract debacle, Vietnamese-Australian NewJeans member Hanni’s South Korean visa, issued for her employment in the entertainment industry under ADOR, has expired.
While Hanni’s visa issue could raise issues with the group’s insistence on terminating the contract, ADOR remains firm on its position that its exclusive contract with NewJeans is valid. The label also expressed its desire to move forward with NewJeans’ plans, including future music releases and concerts.
