Former NewJeans member Danielle Marsh’s legal team rejected ADOR’s KRW43.09 billion (about $29 million) damages lawsuit during the first preparatory hearing held on the morning of March 26 at the Seoul Central District Court, calling for a quick resolution and accusing the agency of deliberately dragging out the proceedings.
Civil Settlements Division 31, chaired by Judge Nam In-soo, held the hearing after the court rejected ADOR’s previous attempt to postpone it from March 26 to April 30. The hearing marked the formal start of legal proceedings in one of the K-pop industry’s most closely watched contract disputes.
Danielle’s lawyer argued that a prolonged lawsuit would cause serious damage to her entertainment career. “Given the nature of the idol industry, if the lawsuit drags on, harm is inevitable,” his legal representatives said, according to AllKpop.
They also argued that the inclusion of his family member and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin as defendants “can be interpreted as an intention to prolong the case.”
ADOR responded by stating that the lawsuit concerns damages and penalties and that Danielle “may decide to continue her entertainment business” regardless of the case.
When the court asked whether a settlement was possible, ADOR said it “would not say there is absolutely no possibility.” Danielle’s side expressed skepticism, saying it was the first time they had heard of a settlement after such a weighty lawsuit had been filed, MK reported.
The court encouraged both parties to keep the door open to mediation and set the next hearing dates for May 14 and July 2. Danielle’s legal team said they hope to conclude discussions by those dates.
ADOR filed a lawsuit in December 2025 after terminating Danielle’s exclusive contract, claiming that she and Min Hee-jin are responsible for triggering the dispute that led to the NewJeans members’ departure and delayed their return. The 20-year-old Australian-born singer was removed from the group after ADOR concluded they could no longer work with her.
Currently, three members, Haerin, Hyein and Hanni, have returned to ADOR, while Minji is still negotiating the terms of her return, according to reports. BBC News. Danielle remains the only member whose contract was terminated rather than enforced.
