THE Members of the NewJeans have taken further action against ADOR and HYBEnaming Shin&Kim LLC as their legal representative to resolve ongoing contractual disputes.
NewJeans finds legal representation in the HYBE and ADOR lawsuit
On January 23, the group released an official statement explaining its decision to hire one of South Korea’s top law firms. Members cited the firm’s expertise in entertainment law and its commitment to representing their interests when faced with alleged breaches of agreements by ADOR.
“Since ADOR and HYBE have appointed Kim & Chang as their legal representative, we felt it was necessary to have a law firm that could respond to them,” the statement read. “To address the rapidly evolving injunction, we believed that Shin & Kim, which is already familiar with the problems and wrongdoings of HYBE and ADOR, is the most suitable choice.”
“HYBE and ADOR have not fulfilled their responsibilities as an agency to protect their artists and support their growth“, continues. “During our operations, we faced numerous obstacles, large and small. They even disguised their intention to “put our entertainment careers on hold indefinitely” as a “long-term hiatus,” essentially abandoning and replacing us.”
The ongoing legal drama
The controversy began on November 29, when NewJeans announced its intention to terminate its exclusivity contracts, citing ADOR’s repeated contractual violations and failure to address critical issues. Their announcement followed an emergency press conference held on November 28, during which the group detailed its grievances, including allegations of unfair treatment and a lack of transparency in communication.
In response, ADOR filed a lawsuit on December 3 in the Seoul Central District Court, seeking to validate their contracts with NewJeans. The agency’s legal action has only intensified public scrutiny over its handling of the situation.
In a subsequent statement on December 6, members reaffirmed their united position, expressing deep disappointment at ADOR’s reluctance to resolve the matter amicably. They emphasized that their decision was driven by the need to protect their rights, well-being and artistic integrity.
