On July 24, during the third hearing at the central district court of Soul, Newjeans’ legal team issued a clear analogy that quickly became viral: “It is like telling a wife who feels like vomiting at the sight of her husband to continue living with him”, – A metaphor thought of illustrating the emotional budget of potentially forcing the group to a management structure controlled by Hybe.
The group’s petition was even more surprising, stating: “Tell us to return to Ador and Hybe is like forcing a victim of school bullying to return to the school where the abusator is.” The members have mentioned an emotional discomfort, including depression and nightmares, as part of their deep distrust in the current leadership, in particular following the dismissal of the former CEO of Ador Min Hee-Jin, who described as a support pillar.
Despite the intensity of their language, Newjeans He stressed that they were absolutely not refusing to return. “If this were still the Ador that we once trusted, we returned even if we didn’t say it. But the current Ador is completely controlled by Hybe”, they discussed.
In response, Ador’s legal team claimed that there were no legal reasons for termination of the contract. They said it Newjeans It could resume the activities pursuant to the existing agreement without penalty and reject the impact of the removal of Min Hee-Jin as irrelevant for the validity of the contract.
The emotional shot raised online divided reactions. Supporters expressed sympathy: “You can feel their despair” AND “It is clear that they feel betrayed.”
But others have rejected:
- “They are forcing him to a narrative for the victim-aggressor”,
- “Invoke school bullying and domestic violence cross the line”,
- “They gained fame under the Hybe system. Are they refusing it now?”
The debate also raised broader questions about the dynamics for the artist agency. Some Netizen wondered if it is appropriate that a group of idol requires control of executive appointments.
The Court has scheduled a mediation session for August 14, exhorting both parties to present realistic regulation proposals. With the emotions that go high and the stakes even higher, the K-Pop world is observing closely to see if this battle will be resolved or further awakening.
Daum
