On March 23, the lawyer Ko Sang-Rok of the Phil law firm, ex Kim & Chang, expressed concern about the recent interview with Time Magazine in Newjeans.
Ko, who had previously criticized Hybe during Newjeans’ first press conference last September, affirming him “A large company should not treat artists as simple goods“It is known among the online communities as a dedicated fan of the Newjeans. However, after seeing their first interview with foreign media following the court sentence, he expressed profound concerns.
In a post on his YouTube channel, Ko said, “If they adopt such an attitude immediately after the decision of the Court, they will not be able to avoid criticism for lying, attacking companions of artists and demonizing others as a way to challenge the industry or company injustices”.
He continued, “Looking at my experience, similar industries and law – whether it’s Samsung or Kim & Chang – have many problems. But if you have benefited and had opportunities within these systems, your criticisms should come from a place of gratitude and pride as a member of the sector to have real credibility.”
Ko stressed that those who had the opportunity to climb within a consolidated system have a duty to respect the efforts of those who built it. “If you really look for a reform, you must support the fundamental principles-Rispens for the elderly and colleagues and a will for self-sacrifice. If you miss the commitment or simply you want to do everything you please, even if you do unlimited money, then honor your contract and your new and leave them when you start your job and your naba is not bigger and you are not bigger your e-ein and it is not much more than the organization and your organization and the organization is not much more Great than those larger than the larger and new and new and himself.
Criticized Newjeans’ approach, stating, “You cannot say to improve and develop the system by insulting, defaming and demonizing it.”
KO also underlined, “Initially, they lined up with Min Hee-Jin to attack the parent company, then they turned against other labels and artists. Now, they are rejecting the entire sector, ignoring the decision of the Court and making anti-Korean comments, who have done a company in a more serious way. What is their next pact? Criticizing the k-pop training system, using words that align that perspective, which are portrayed as Mariti.
He concluded, “The court proposal of their lawyer has exposed all their lies. Just because the interview is in English and published in a foreign media, it will not cover the truth. It is time to wake me up. I still want to believe that this is a mistake. For their good, I hope that at least they keep a minimum level of integrity so that people, including myself, can still help them.”
Background on the legal dispute
Previously, Newjeans said: “We respect the decision of the court”, but in their interview over time, they said, “we are disappointed by the sentence”.
On November 28, 2024, the five Newjeans’ members held an emergency press conference, declaring the termination of their contracts with Ador, claiming that the agency was missing the will and ability to protect them. In turn, Ador has filed a case at the central district court of Soul to confirm the validity of the contracts.
However, on March 21, the central district court of Soul pronounced in favor of Ador, granting the injunction of the agency. The sentence declared, “The members must not engage in entertainment activities independently or through third parties without prior approval by Ador. “
The Court also established that the Newjeans had not provided enough evidence that Ador had seriously violated their contractual obligations or that their trust in the company had been irreparably damaged.
Later, in their temporal interview, he said Newjeans, “We were disappointed by the sentence, but we would never have expected that the K-pop industry would change from today. Compared to everything we spent, this is only another step on our journey. This is the reality of Korea. But it is exactly why we believe in the need for change and growth. Korea seems to want to transform ourselves into revolutions.”
The next hearing relating to the validity of Newjeans contracts is scheduled for April 3.
