On January 23, the group released a joint statement revealing that it had hired legal representation to counter the actions taken by ADOR and HYBE. The statement, signed by all five members – Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein – expresses their determination to sever ties with their former agency.
Hi, I’m Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein.
It was recently reported that ADOR filed a lawsuit to validate the legality of our exclusive contract. They also sought an injunction to prevent cancellation of advertising agreements and to maintain our contractual obligations. We received notification of this a few days ago and have appointed Sejong law firm as our legal representative.
Since HYBE and ADOR have engaged the law firm Kim & Chang to represent their interests, we felt it was necessary to involve a legal team that can effectively manage this escalating situation. After careful consideration, we chose Sejong for their expertise and understanding of the issues within HYBE and ADOR.
The members then detailed their complaints, accusing HYBE and ADOR of violating their responsibilities as a management agency. They highlighted the companies’ failure to provide adequate protection and accused them of employing underhanded tactics, including secret meetings with parents to pressure them into returning.
HYBE and ADOR have failed to fulfill their obligations as an agency, neglecting their responsibility to support and develop their artists. In the course of our operations, we have encountered numerous outages, both minor and significant. Instead of supporting us, they attempted to justify our abandonment by disguising it as an extended vacation intended to end our entertainment careers.
Even after the legal termination of our exclusive contract, we faced unfounded criticism spread across the media and online channels. The information fueling these attacks could only come from HYBE and ADOR, leading us to believe that they are behind these malicious actions.
Although they repeatedly push us to return, HYBE and ADOR continue to harass and weaken us. They recently held secret meetings with our parents, both to manipulate us into reconciliation and to drive a further wedge between us. Instead of resorting to these cowardly tactics and feeding false narratives to the media, we urge them to engage with us honestly and transparently.
Members made it clear that reconciliation with HYBE and ADOR is no longer an option.
We want to be absolutely clear: the five of us have no intention of ever returning to HYBE and ADOR, where even the most basic trust cannot be established.
After the termination of our contract, we initially attempted to fulfill our remaining scheduled activities and obligations to minimize harm to others involved. However, as HYBE and ADOR continue to damage our reputation and refuse to cooperate, we can no longer remain silent. Their improper methods have harmed not only us but also those around us.
We are determined to pursue this matter through the legal system to expose the truth and hold HYBE and ADOR accountable for their actions.
To our fans, we are deeply sorry for causing you concern. We promise to do everything in our power to get back to you with our music and activities as soon as possible. Your support means a lot to us. Thank you.
