The ongoing feud between South Korean entertainment giant HYBE, its subsidiary label ADOR and K-pop girl group NewJeans has emerged as one of the most high profile feuds we’ve witnessed in K-pop in recent memory.
ADOR, which houses popular K-pop girl group NewJeans, is helmed by former SM Entertainment creative director Min Hee-jin and was once poised to become one of HYBE’s most lucrative labels. However, it is now at the centre of an alleged power struggle over the treatment and management of NewJeans and future creative projects under ADOR.
Founded in November 2021, Min Hee-jin launched the label after two years as HYBE’s Chief Brand Officer. What began as a battle over control over management and creative direction of ADOR and NewJeans has turned, over the course of the past year, into a heated tug-of-war between the entertainment giant and the band themselves over their artistic autonomy and worker’s rights.
The futures of NewJeans have become increasingly unclear amid the feud. Although many blanks have yet to be filled in the overarching battle, below is a full timeline of events that have occurred since all parties have taken their dispute to the public arena.
April 22, 2024 – HYBE launches internal audit of ADOR
The first signs of a power struggle between HYBE and its subsidiary K-pop agency ADOR, home to NewJeans, first emerged on April 22, when South Korean media reported that the audit team of entertainment giant HYBE had launched an investigation into ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin and an unnamed executive of the company.
HYBE later confirmed that it did launch an audit into ADOR executives over a suspicion that they were trying to take control of the K-pop agency, however no specific staff members were named in HYBE’s confirmation. Following the news, the stock price of HYBE began to drop.
April 22, 2024 – ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin accuses HYBE of “undermining” NewJeans’ success
Shortly after the news of HYBE’s audit into ADOR broke, CEO Min Hee-jin issued a statement accusing HYBE of “undermining” NewJeans’ success. She claimed HYBE had copied the “makeup, costumes, choreography, photos, videos and event appearances” of NewJeans for its latest girl group ILLIT, who debuted under separate subsidiary Belift Lab in late March.
Min also claimed that she had filed an official complaint over what she described was a “copycat issue”, claiming that both HYBE and Belift Lab “refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing, merely coming up with a string of excuses and delaying concrete responses”. In the same statement, she also refuted HYBE’s allegations about her trying to take control of the company.
“I cannot understand how legitimate actions aimed at preserving the cultural achievements of affiliated artists like NewJeans are being twisted into conduct against ADOR’s interests or attempts to usurp its management rights,” she wrote.
April 24, 2024 – HYBE CEO Park Ji-won claims to have discovered evidence of Min and other executives “trying to seize control” of ADOR
Yonhap News Agency reported that Park had sent a company-wide email stating that evidence of ADOR executives’ attempts at “seizing control” of the label has been found, adding that he will “take appropriate actions after confirming more [of the truth] through this audit”. In the same email, Park also claimed that the alleged takeover plans were “set in motion long before ILLIT made their debut”.
April 24, 2024 – Min Hee-jin and ADOR executives deny claims of a takeover
Min Hee-jin told a separate South Korean news outlet in an interview, per CNA, that she has never “met with any investor to take over management rights of ADOR”. She also alleged that it would be “impossible” for her to do so “without consent” from HYBE, as she only owns 18 per cent of the company, with other company executives holding 2 per cent and HYBE owning 80 per cent of ADOR. She also revealed that she was “suddenly notified of my dismissal” after raising concerns of similarities between ILLIT and NewJeans.
An anonymous deputy CEO of ADOR also claimed in another interview with Yonhap News Agency that the alleged evidence HYBE uncovered were nothing more than “personal reflections” about the “long-standing conflicts between HYBE and ADOR”. They also claimed that the documents containing the alleged evidence “have not been discussed with Min and other ADOR executives”.
April 25, 2024 – Min Hee-jin holds press conference to deny claims made against her by HYBE
During the press conference, Min told Korean press that she “was not expecting” the audit, instead claiming that she had initially made an “internal report [about the similarities between NewJeans and Belift Lab group ILLIT]” in hopes of it being “addressed formally by the company”.
Min also claimed that the conversations brought up by HYBE as evidence of her alleged plans to take over ADOR were “rid of the context of where they came from”. Her legal counsel also told press that “there was no incident where Min tried to diminish the company value” and that “you cannot ‘plot’ to breach the trust. This just doesn’t count as that”.
During the conference, Min also shared how she believes the company “used me to the fullest and now wants to take me down because I don’t listen to them”. She also said that HYBE founder Bang Si-hyuk “wouldn’t let me [establish ADOR and launch NewJeans] unless the company held a 100 per cent stake”, but that she allegedly relented because “a fight would’ve taken months”.
Min also told press that members of the HYBE team had told her “not to promote NewJeans before LE SSERAFIM‘s debut, because they wanted people to think that LE SSERAFIM was Min Hee-jin’s girl group”.
“They never let me promote NewJeans as the first girl group from Min Hee-jin because they intentionally wanted to confuse people,” the ADOR CEO claimed. “That was all Bang Si-hyuk’s doing.”
According to The Korea Herald, HYBE claimed that Min had “manipulated the truth” during the conference and have asked for her to resign as CEO of ADOR.
April 26, 2024 – HYBE refutes Min Hee-jin’s press conference claims
A day after Min’s two-hour press conference, HYBE issued a statement refuting her claims, alleging that “so much [of what Min claimed during the press conference] is far from the truth to the point that it is difficult to go through them one by one”.
HYBE claimed that Min had “distorted the facts by mixing up the timeline”, while claiming that they “can refute all claims with evidence”. However, HYBE also stated that it has “decided not to mention them one by one as we judge that they are not worth responding to”. HYBE also urged Min to “resign promptly for the proper management of ADOR as she has already proven herself unfit to be in charge of management”.
May 2, 2024 – Min Hee-jin had reportedly “demanded” that HYBE give her the authority to “terminate” NewJeans’ contracts
Yonhap News Agency cited unnamed industry insiders in a report that Min had allegedly “demanded” the authority to “terminate” NewJeans’ exclusive contracts with the company. According to the outlet, Min allegedly made the request after negotiations between the executives of the K-pop agency and its owner HYBE over a revised shareholders agreement had hit a roadblock around the tail-end of 2023. However, HYBE rejected her request, calling it “too much”.
Min has since confirmed that the “request” was submitted in a proposal to HYBE, however claimed that it was to “address unreasonable interference [by HYBE], an issue that emerged during NewJeans’ debut, and to ensure independent management of the label” in a statement. She also denied that this request was related to allegations of a takeover levied against her by HYBE.
May 7, 2024 – HYBE requests an shareholders’ meeting to fire Min Hee-jin
“HYBE has requested an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting to fire Min Hee-jin, CEO and board member of ADOR, which is a violation of the shareholders’ contract between Min and HYBE,” Min’s legal representative told press, per Korea JoongAng Daily. HYBE owns 80 per cent of ADOR, while Min owns 18 per cent.
May 9, 2024 – Min Hee-jin files injunction to stop HYBE shareholder meeting
“Min Hee-jin contends that HYBE’s argument regarding breach of trust by Min makes no sense, which is why she resulted in filing for the injunction in order to protect the corporate value of ADOR and its artists,” the representative added, per Korea JoongAng Daily. Meanwhile, Yongsan police told the outlet that it will “conduct a speedy and thorough investigation” on Min.
May 13, 2024 – NewJeans’ parents allegedly speak out in new letter, HYBE responds
The letter was published via South Korean news outlet eDaily, allegedly written by the parents of NewJeans’ members. It was reportedly first sent to Min Hee-jin on March 31, who later shared it with HYBE on April 3, before the feud between ADOR and HYBE was made public and only a week after ILLIT had officially debuted.
“We express deep concern over the controversy that has risen with many similarities in concept […] between NewJeans and a group that debuted under another label of HYBE,” the letter reads, as translated by Soompi. “It is deeply regrettable that another label under the same parent company could plan a team that is intentionally reminiscent of NewJeans.”
“If these situations continue, this will undoubtedly damage NewJeans’s reputation and brand value,” NewJeans’ parents alleged, while claiming that the members of the girl group are “experiencing severe mental distress in this process”.
In the letter, NewJeans’ parents also claimed that HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk would “ignore the NewJeans members and their greetings whenever he ran into them at the company”, alleging that “this happened on several occasions”.
Shortly after the letter was publicised, HYBE responded via a statement to a separate outlet claiming that the real authors of the letter are Min and an unnamed vice president from ADOR. The music giant also denied several allegations in the letter, including claims of plagiarism and neglect.
HYBE also claimed that Min “drag[ged] in artists and their families in her own battles for her personal greed” by allegedly doctoring the letter, while claiming that it has evidence the email was “part of the plan for the takeover of management rights [of ADOR by Min]”. “We plan to submit this evidence to investigative and judicial authorities,” HYBE also said in response.
May 23, 2024 – Belift Lab sues Min Hee-jin for defamation over plagiarism claims
Belift Lab, the HYBE subsidiary ILLIT is housed under, filed a defamation complaint against Min Hee-jin over her claims that ILLIT had plagiarised NewJeans. “We filed a complaint against CEO Min for making false claims unilaterally against our company and artists and causing damage,” Belift Lab said in a statement. “We make it clear that the plagiarism allegations raised by Min against our artist ILLIT are not true.”
“We have submitted evidence to the judicial authorities that can prove the accusations are unfounded, and although it may take some time, we will resolve this issue through proper legal procedures,” the K-pop agency added.
May 30, 2024 – Court grants Min Hee-jin injunction against HYBE
The Seoul Central District Court ruled in favour of Min Hee-jin following her filing of an injunction to stop HYBE from exercising their voting rights and dismissing her from her current position as CEO of ADOR.
“The reasons for Min Hee-jin’s dismissal or resignation claimed by HYBE have not been sufficiently substantiated,” the court said of its decision. “While Min Hee-jin’s actions may be considered betrayal to HYBE, it is difficult to say that they constitute actions of breach of trust in regards to ADOR.”
In response to the court’s decision, HYBE said it “respects the court’s decision” and “will not exercise voting rights […] at the upcoming extraordinary meeting of shareholders”. The company also shared that it has “plans to proceed with subsequent steps within the boundaries set by the law”.
May 31, 2024 – Min Hee-jin retains her role as ADOR CEO, two “close aides” dismissed
The scheduled extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held on May 31 determined that Min Hee-jin will keep her position as ADOR CEO, however two of her “close aides” – only identified as Shin and Kim – were dismissed and replaced by three C-suite executive officials from HYBE. Yonhap News Agency noted that this decision would provide HYBE more “control” of the board.
May 31, 2024 – Min Hee-jin holds second press conference to address NewJeans’ and ADOR’s future
The second press conference held by Min Hee-jin took place the day of the shareholders’ meeting, during which she addressed her current relationship with HYBE and the future of the subsidiary label and its artists.
Min told press that plans for upcoming NewJeans activities have been “all thrown up in the air because of the ongoing month-long battle”. Notably, prior to the feud, the girl group had announced several new music releases, as well as a world tour for 2025.
“My foremost goal is to carry out the plans as I wanted with no problems. And now, since HYBE is now listening to my side, I hope that we can amicably settle,” she added. “If I don’t do this, and NewJeans has to take leave until our organisational matters settle, who does that benefit?”
Min also added that “what will be done in the future remains to be seen” at this current juncture. “But if HYBE wants to develop ADOR and its vision for NewJeans, then they would need to discuss that with me,” she continued.
July 15, 2024 – Source Music files US$360,000 lawsuit against Min Hee-jin
Fellow HYBE subsidiary Source Music – home to LE SSERAFIM – filed a lawsuit against Min, seeking KRW500million (roughly US$360,000) in damages for defamation and interfering with business.
In a statement to Billboard, Source Music stated: “The label’s accusations primarily include three complaints: (A) Min claimed that she personally selected the members of NewJeans as trainees (B) Min claimed that the company unilaterally broke its promise to debut NewJeans as HYBE’s first girl group and (C) Min claimed Source Music neglected the members of NewJeans.”
August 27, 2024 – Min Hee-jin steps down as CEO of ADOR, which she claims was not her choice
ADOR announced during a board meeting that Min Hee-jin would step down from her role as CEO, simultaneously announcing that Kim Ju-young, director of the board, would assume the position of CEO following Min’s departure. Despite her resignation from the role, ADOR wrote that she remains on the company’s board of directors and would continue to produce for NewJeans.
ADOR said that Min being in change of both the management of the label as well as the production of NewJeans was “the only exception among all the HYBE labels”. It added that it promises to “provide the best support for the success of NewJeans with this change in structure”, per Korea JoongAng Daily.
Two hours after ADOR’s announcement, Min herself claimed in a new statement that her move to step down was not made of her own volition. “The board made the decision regardless of the CEO’s wishes,” she said, calling the move “a grave violation of the shareholders’ contract”.
After Min’s statement, ADOR addressed her claims in a second statement on the same day, saying that the board meeting was “held according to the law”. “The date was chosen out of the list that Min Hee-jin gave. Min took part in the meeting online and the board made the optimal decision for the future of ADOR and NewJeans,” it wrote.
August 30, 2024 – Min Hee-jin rejects “unreasonable” temporary contract to produce for NewJeans
Min published a statement announcing her rejection of HYBE’s offer to continue producing for NewJeans, calling the terms of the contract “unreasonable” and “a trick” designed to force her rejection of it.
According to Min, the contract would have her retained to produce for the girl group from August 27 to November 1, which she claimed was “unrealistic” given HYBE’s purported “expect[ations of] the successful completion of crucial production tasks, such as preparing for NewJeans’ world tour in 2025”.
She also claimed that it included clauses that would allow the company to immediately terminate the agreement if “her work performance was deemed insufficient or if the company’s business circumstances changed”.
In response ADOR released a statement on the same day, claiming that the new two-month contract was meant to cover the remainder of her contract, which expires on November 1.
September 2, 2024 – NewJeans express frustration over ADOR-HYBE feud on social media
NewJeans members Danielle, Minji and Hanni uploaded several posts to fan community app Phoning to express their frustration over the ongoing managerial changes within ADOR.
Danielle wrote that she had “a lot of concerns” since Min Hee-jin was dismissed as CEO of ADOR. “It’s been difficult in many ways […] For a while, I was in a state of mental breakdown and very anxious,” she added.
Meanwhile, Minji said that she wanted to “comfort” them despite her frustration that “nothing has been solved” about the situation. “I was so frustrated with myself for not being able to solve anything. I am so sorry that we’re going through this unnecessary trouble when there’s already not enough time in the day to focus on the good things,” she wrote.
Hanni, despite not speaking directly about the situation, did touch on Min Hee-jin’s dismissal. “I was originally just practising writing songs and lyrics with my guitar, but Bunnies… our members… our CEO [Min Hee-jin]… I am also struggling at this time, but I wanted to comfort everyone and get rid of all my heartache.”
September 4, 2024 – NewJeans voice support for Min Hee-jin at awards ceremony
During their appearance at The Fact Music Awards in Osaka, NewJeans gave a shout-out to Min Hee-jin during their award acceptance speech. “We truly love and thank [former] CEO Min Hee-jin who always cherishes and protects us,” member Danielle said.
Hyein also added that she “want[ed] to say it one more time because it might be the last chance”, telling the audience that the group are “really, really grateful to our CEO”. “We love you so much,” she concluded.
September 11, 2024 – NewJeans host livestream to call for Min Hee-jin’s reinstatement as CEO, calls HYBE an “inhumane company”
All five members of NewJeans held a surprise livestream on a now-deleted YouTube channel, where they spoke on the ongoing ADOR-HYBE feud and called for HYBE to reinstate Min Hee-jin back to her original position as ADOR’s CEO. According to Hyein, the livestream was held without the company’s knowledge but organised with the help of “directors that we trusted on things we couldn’t prepare ourselves”.
“We hope that HYBE makes the wise choice to reinstate Min Hee-jin as the CEO of ADOR by September 25,” said Minji. “The ADOR that we want is an ADOR where the music production and company management are done by Min Hee-jin as the CEO. We make this request as the way to cohabitate peacefully with HYBE.”
The girl group also claimed that HYBE have been “bullying” Min, saying that they “feel so bad” for the music executive. “HYBE just seems like an inhumane company. What are we supposed to learn from such a company?” said Danielle. The band also opened up about unpleasant experiences with other staff within HYBE since Min’s dismissal.
September 13, 2024 – Min Hee-jin files injunction for shareholder’s meeting to reappoint her as internal ADOR director
Min and her representatives shared a statement announcing that they had filed for a court injunction for an “extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to reappoint Min Hee-jin as an internal director of ADOR with the Seoul Central District Court”.
According to the statement, under the shareholders’ agreement, Min was guaranteed a five-year term as ADOR’s CEO and an internal director of the ADOR board of directors. Despite the court’s recognition of this, Min claimed she was “unilaterally dismissed” by HYBE regardless.
“This is a direct violation of the still-valid shareholders’ agreement and the court’s injunction decision to guarantee the CEO’s term,” the statement read. Min’s representation alleged that HYBE continues to claim that her agreement has been terminated “without any basis although there are less than two months left on [Min’s] term as an internal director”.
HYBE responded to Min’s statement on the same day, claiming again that the shareholder agreement between HYBE and Min has officially been terminated. “A lawsuit has been filed to confirm the termination of the shareholder agreement, and we are awaiting the court’s decision,” it wrote.
October 29, 2024 – Injunction dismissed by Seoul court
On October 29, the Seoul Central District Court announced their dismissal of her injunction, saying Min’s claims “do not meet the requirements to constitute the legal grounds for a court judgement”.
September 25, 2024 – Min Hee-jin reinstated as an internal director, request to return as CEO rejected
Min’s request to be re-appointed as the label’s CEO was rejected by ADOR. However, the company had offered her a position as an internal director, giving her a seat on the company’s board. Under the conditions of the offer, Min would be able to produce for NewJeans for the next five years, which ADOR pointed out was “the whole duration of the girl group’s contract”.
October 17, 2024 – Min’s term extended for three more years
ADOR announced on October 17 that the music executive’s term as a board member was extended for an additional three years through a board meeting. Her stint as an internal director with ADOR was initially due to expire on November 1.
October 15, 2024 – NewJeans’ Hanni shares testimonies of harassment faced at HYBE at National Assembly
The Vietnamese-Australian singer was invited to the National Assembly to speak before the South Korean Labour Committee on workplace harassment she’s faced at HYBE.
Hanni claimed that, when she greeted the members of another band at the offices of their record label, a manager told them to “ignore her like you didn’t see her,” and that her concerns had been disregarded when she brought them up.
Other allegations she made were that employees had been bad-mouthing NewJeans on the communications app Blind, and that HYBE’s PR department had asked a journalist to downplay the group’s achievement – these had reinforced her feelings that “the company hated us”.
November 28, 2024 – ADOR demands public apology from Belift Lab
Although neither a specific group nor company were mentioned in Hanni’s claims, ADOR issued a statement demanding a public apology from fellow HYBE subsidiary Belift Lab (home to ENHYPEN and ILLIT) to Hanni for the incident. Belift Lab previously denied these allegations.
“Belift Lab’s claims differ completely from Hanni’s account,” it continued, although conceding that it was “unfair” and “unnecessarily harsh” to expect the singer to recount the incident in detail. “We fully trust our artist’s words and deeply regret the harm Hanni has experienced.”
November 14, 2024 – NewJeans allegedly threaten to leave ADOR if “grave contract breaches” were not rectified
The Korea Times first reported the issuance of NewJeans’ legal notice to ADOR, which allegedly includes the five-piece’s demands to “rectify all grave breaches of the exclusive contracts within 14 days of receipt”. NewJeans wrote in the letter that they “plan to revoke our exclusive contracts” with ADOR if these unspecified breaches remain unaddressed by the company.
November 20, 2024 – Min Hee-jin resigns from internal director position
“Today, I am resigning from my position as an internal director at ADOR,” the K-pop agency’s former CEO wrote in her statement. “Additionally, I am terminating the shareholder agreement with HYBE and intend to hold HYBE legally accountable for breaches of this agreement.”
Min wrote that she had “done everything in my power to uphold the shareholder agreement and restore ADOR”, however, she eventually concluded that further efforts to work with HYBE “would be a waste of time”. Following her resignation, Min said she intends to pursue “necessary legal action” against the “numerous illegal activities committed by HYBE and its affiliates”.
November 20, 2024 – NewJean’s claims of workplace harassment dismissed by South Korean Labour Ministry
The South Korean Labour Ministry announced the dismissal of a case by NewJeans fans, filed on behalf of the group about the workplace harassment faced at HYBE, based on claims made by Hanni at her National Assembly testimony in October.
The Ministry claimed that “the content and nature of the management contract signed by Hanni” was what made her – and K-pop idols, by extension – ineligible to be legally classified as “employees” under current labour laws in the country.
The South Korean government instead classify entertainers as “exceptional entities” instead of employees in an employer-employee relationship, as they operate under exclusive, commission-based contracts with management labels.
November 27, 2024 – ‘NewJeans Hanni act’ introduced at National Assembly to prevent workplace bullying
South Korean politician Jeong Hye-kyung, member of the Progressive Party, proposed a new bill to amend current labour laws to extend legal protection and preventative measures against workplace harassment to exceptional entities.
Temporarily named the ‘NewJeans Hanni act’, Jeong said that everyone is entitled to protection “regardless of income, employment relationship, or contractual relationship.”
The new bill establishes new and special provisions for both labour providers and entertainers through mandatory regulations for employers. It also introduces penalties for individuals who fail to adhere to the regulations. The amendment has not yet been passed as of writing.
November 26, 2024 – Min Hee-jin files criminal complaints against two HYBE PR executives
Min filed criminal complaints against two executives – named in the complaint are HYBE’s Chief Communications Officer Park Tae-hee and a PR director only identified as Cho.
Min’s representatives claimed that they “not only failed to fulfil their obligations but caused significant damage to NewJeans and ADOR by downplaying the group’s achievements”. They added that they hope “appropriate criminal penalties” will be imposed.
November 28, 2024 – NewJeans terminate contracts with ADOR in emergency press conference
NewJeans held an emergency press conference on November 28, where they announced the termination of their exclusive contracts with the label.
They claimed that their legal notice to ADOR had been ignored for the full grace period of 14 days, and ADOR’s alleged breaches of contract obligations had not been resolved by then.
“[ADOR is] a company that no longer has any sincerity in the art of music that is created, is rather fixated on appearing like a well-working company despite only having thoughts about making money, and does not have any conscience about the negative effect they create through their non-authentic means,” Hanni told press, per Music Business Worldwide.
Danielle also said that, while the group may not be able to keep the trademark rights to the NewJeans name and brand, it “doesn’t mean that we are giving up on the name at all”. She stated: “We will continue to fight for NewJeans. Regardless of our name, just remember that NewJeans never dies.”
Regarding penalties for contract termination, Haerin claimed that it “makes no sense” for NewJeans to be liable to pay a contract breach fee. “We never broke any rules,” Haerin said. “We did nothing but try our best – they are the ones at fault. HYBE and ADOR are the ones responsible.”
After the press conference, NewJeans publicised a document from ADOR addressing their legal notice, allegedly sent to them an hour after the conference was called.
November 28, 2024 – ADOR refutes NewJeans’ press conference statements, claims contract “remains in full effect”
Shortly after NewJeans’ press conference, ADOR published a statement refuting the statements made by the band. It claimed the conference was “planned and conducted without sufficient review, prior to receiving a response to the legal notice”.
It also maintained that ADOR “has not violated the terms of the agreement” and that a “unilateral claim of a breach of trust does not constitute valid grounds for terminating the contract”.
Additionally, the label requested that NewJeans continue cooperating with them moving forward, writing that the “exclusive agreement between ADOR and the NewJeans members remains in full effect”.
December 2, 2024 – Min Hee-jin denies involvement in NewJeans’ contract termination
Min sued former HYBE CEO Park Ji-won and PR chief Park Tae-hee for violating South Korean communications laws, while also filing a lawsuit against two Dispatch reporters for defamation. The announcement came shortly after Dispatch published an article accusing Min of being a “hidden hand” behind NewJeans’ public pushback against HYBE.
“Kim and Park, even today, wrote an article that is far from the truth. They wrote the article based on a one-sided story without verifying the facts,” Min’s lawyers wrote in the press statement. “We hope the police report will uncover their serious lies and that they are held liable.”
December 4, 2024 – ADOR files lawsuit to verify NewJeans’ contract validity
ADOR filed the lawsuit on December 4 with the Seoul Central District Court to confirm the validity of its contracts with NewJeans, telling press in a statement that it felt it was “necessary” in order to “ensure its continued legal enforcement”.
ADOR claimed that NewJeans’ actions “would seriously hinder the continued development of K-pop”. The company also shared that it has “yet to have the opportunity for direct communication with the artist,” although they have reassured that they remain “committed” to collaborating with NewJeans.
December 6, 2024 – NewJeans reiterate their right to terminate contracts, claim ADOR “severely harassed” NewJeans team post-departure
NewJeans published a response to ADOR’s lawsuit on December 6, where they reiterated their right to terminate their contracts with the company. They pointed out that “ADOR failed to properly assert that there were no breaches of the exclusive contracts” in their lawsuit announcement, and that they have done their due diligence to “return profits exceeding the investment to ADOR and HYBE”.
Despite this, NewJeans accused HYBE of “attempt[ing] various forms of interference, including defamation and reverse viral marketing, to devalue us”, adding that the label “allowed this to happen under new management”.
The band also accused ADOR of “secretly following us, defaming us, and spreading false information through media outlets”, on top of “severely harass[ing]” and investigating staff who assisted NewJeans in their activities post ADOR departure.
“We hope that through the legal process, the reasons for our decision to terminate our exclusive contracts and ADOR’s contract violations will be fully revealed,” the statement concluded.
December 15, 2024 – NewJeans members launch independent Instagram account, ADOR urges against it
On December 15, the five members of NewJeans – Minji, Danielle, Hanni, Haerin and Hyein – launched a new Instagram account @jeanzforfree as a means to communicate with and update fans post-departure from ADOR.
ADOR later released a statement on December 18 urging the band to return to their official social media channels, citing concerns from advertisers. “Aside from the official SNS accounts of NewJeans opened by ADOR, all accounts were opened without prior consultation under the exclusive contract,” the label wrote.
ADOR noted “inquiries and complaints from third parties”, saying that NewJeans’ separation of activities through other channels could open the band and ADOR up to legal issues involving advertisers. NewJeans have yet to respond to ADOR’s statement.
January 13, 2025 – ADOR files injunction to prevent NewJeans from signing brand deals
ADOR filed an injunction on January 13 to stop the NewJeans members from signing brand advertisement deals as independent artists. “This decision was made to prevent confusion and potential harm to third parties, including advertisers,” it said in a statement. The company also claims that by doing so, NewJeans “could undermine investment in the entertainment industry and destabilise the K-pop sector”.
January 23, 2025 – NewJeans address ADOR’s legal actions, rally fans to come up with new group name
On January 23, the five-piece posted a statement to their independent Instagram page addressing the legal actions ADOR has taken against them. They shared that they have appointed legal representatives to fight their case, denounced both ADOR and HYBE and reiterate previous claims regarding the companies’ “[failure] to fulfil their responsibilities as an agency to protect their artists and support their growth”.
“We will state this firmly: the five of us have no intention of ever returning to HYBE or ADOR, where even the minimum level of trust cannot be expected,” NewJeans wrote. After the statement was posted, the band made another post requesting new group name ideas from fans to temporarily operate under.
February 7, 2025 – NewJeans rebrand under new name, NJZ
The members of NewJeans unveiled their new group name through an announcement naming them as headliners for ComplexCon Hong Kong in March, where they will also debut a new song. Their appearance at the festival will mark their first performance as NJZ.
In an interview with CNN published that same day, Hanni explained that the rebrand comes as a means of “turning this rough period of time into something more exciting” and that the K-pop group are “working a lot to resolve everything so that we can go… back to normal”.
Despite a new name, Hanni also emphasised that they will not be letting go of the NewJeans brand: “Even though we have to leave our previous name behind us for a bit, we’re not fully moving on from it. And we don’t want to either, because (being NewJeans) was still a very special period of time to us, and it’s something that our fans also probably hold really dear.”
Member Danielle also shared that they have “completely lost all trust at the moment” in ADOR and HYBE, and believes they “will win this battle”. Hanni added that NJZ believe “there’s nothing holding us back anymore”.
February 7, 2025 – ADOR responds to NJZ’s name rebrand, calling it “deeply regrettable”
ADOR issued a statement on February 7 addressing NewJeans’ rebrand as NJZ, saying, “It is deeply regrettable that the members made this unilateral decision before any legal ruling has been made regarding the validity of their exclusive contracts with ADOR.”
“ADOR will continue to do our best to protect the brand value of NewJeans,” the label added. ADOR also said that it is “always open to meeting with NewJeans members or their legal representatives to resolve any misunderstandings and discuss the group’s future activities”.
February 13, 2025 – NJZ’s parents accuse ADOR of “exploiting” Hanni’s South Korean residency status
NewJeans/NJZ’s parents made a statement on their NJZ PR Instagram account, announcing that Vietnamese-Australian member Hanni was issued a new working visa. In the same statement, they also accused ADOR of “pressur[ing]” Hanni and her parents to sign extension documents that listed ADOR as her agency, “stating that failure to comply could result in illegal residency.”
The band’s parents also addressed the onslaught of media reports about Hanni’s visa at the time, which they say “openly speculated” about Hanni’s personal information. They called this “a serious violation of personal rights”. The statement continued: “We express deep regret that sensitive information, which only ADOR, as the agency, could have access to, has been recklessly disseminated through the media.”
February 20, 2025 – NJZ’s parents claim HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk tried to cancel their ComplexCon Hong Kong performance
Another statement released to the NJZ PR Instagram page on February 20 claimed that HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk attempted to “interfere” with the group’s upcoming ComplexCon Hong Kong appearance, which will mark their first performance post-rebrand.
“We heard from ComplexCon staff, who were helping us prepare for the performance, that HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk personally called organisers in the US and urged them to cancel NewJeans’ performance,” they claimed. “We felt that HYBE was thinking only of making money and interfering with the members, rather than cheering them on for the best. We also received reports that ADOR has tried to disrupt them in other instances.”
ADOR has since denied these allegations. “ADOR has never attempted to get NewJeans’ Hong Kong performance cancelled,” the label claimed. “We have also confirmed that chairman Bang Si-hyuk has never contacted anyone at all about NewJeans’ Hong Kong performance.”
March 6, 2025 – NJZ claim ADOR is requesting the court to ban them from all “entertainment activities”
A statement released by NJZ and their parents on March 6 claimed that ADOR has tweaked their initial injunction request, which was to ban them from signing independent brand deals, to further ban them from all other “entertainment activities”.
This encompasses “NJZ’s writing, composing, performing, and singing, and all other ancillary activities”, according to their parents. The group say they “suspect that the decision was taken in retaliation for the failed attempt to cancel the performance”. They also noted that ADOR “did not reveal its request for an injunction was aimed at banning all entertainment activities” until a few days ago.
ADOR has since denied these allegations when asked to comment by NME. “We felt it was necessary to extend the scope of the injunction due to the unilateral expansion of NewJeans members’ activities, including new music releases and overseas performances,” they wrote. The HYBE subsidiary emphasised that its aim is “to ensure that they can continue their activities under our existing contractual agreement”, rather than “hinder the artists’ careers”.
March 7, 2025 – All five NJZ members attend first hearing for legal feud with HYBE
The very first hearing for the injunction HYBE filed took place on March 7, which saw all five NJZ members in attendance despite the lack of mandatory attendance. During the hearing, NJZ’s legal counsel reiterated the “breakdown in trust toward ADOR” as the primary reason behind why they terminated their contracts, according to The Korea Times.
“HYBE’s extensive media play, abandoning NewJeans to start fresh, ILLIT’s plagiarism controversy, and destroying the cooperative relationship with Dolphiners Films all happened from 2023 to 2024. Among HYBE’s label artists, no one except the defendant experienced such treatment,” they said. “The essence of this case is that HYBE and the plaintiff continuously discriminated against and excluded the defendant, trying to replace and discard them with another group.”
To support their case, NJZ’s lawyers shared that they were “neglected” for the time between their first debut evaluation in March 2021 to September 2021, when LE SSERAFIM were chosen to be HYBE’s first girl group despite alleged promises to NJZ that their debut would come first. “There was no explanation,” they told the court.
They also noted that Hanni in particular was removed from the role of a brand ambassador and replaced with LE SSERAFIM. “When we checked with the brand, we received an apology, with them saying HYBE had suggested [LE SSERAFIM], and they thought HYBE had naturally sought understanding from our side.” they claimed.
“The current ADOR, which claims that all the unfairness and discrimination I felt were misunderstandings and could be restored if we returned, only deepens our wounds … We ask the court to understand our feelings,” Minji said to reporters after the hearing.
Meanwhile, ADOR’s legal team argued that their success as a band was due to HYBE’s financial support, having invested KRW21billion (US$14.5million) into NJZ, calling it “unprecedented” for a single group. They also added that the group “had the privilege of using HYBE [labelmates] BTS as PR”.
ADOR also described the reasons NJZ had offered for their contract termination as “invalid”. “Their reason is ‘HYBE hates the defendant and discriminates against them.’ Issues that are typically disputed in other exclusive contract termination cases – unfair contracts, settlement issues and lack of entertainment activity bookings – are not even mentioned,” they said to the court.
March 7, 2025 – NJZ’s Hanni publicly speaks out against ADOR’s use of her text messages in court hearing
Shortly after the hearing’s conclusion, Hanni took to the band’s independent Instagram to speak out against the music label, specifically for their use of her personal text messages with former CEO Min Hee-jin in court.
NJZ via Instagram stories:
— “I remember everything exactly, and I wanted to say it in the court earlier, but I held it in. how can u take one part of a conversation and shift the meaning of it to benefit your point if view when I was the one that wrote that message. whilst you… pic.twitter.com/VUf2cYCQow
— Kpop Charts (@kchartsmaster) March 7, 2025
March 7, 2025 – Source Music denies NJZ’s claims about Hanni’s brand ambassadorship replaced by LE SSERAFIM
After the hearing concluded, Source Music put out a statement addressing NJZ’s claims about LE SSERAFIM were given brand ambassadorship from which Hanni was “removed”. According to translations by Koreaboo, the HYBE subsidiary wrote that “LE SSERAFIM did not receive any special privileges or unfair advantages in the process of being selected as brand ambassadors for a specific brand”. “This can be fully substantiated with objective evidence, and we are prepared to provide clarification whenever legally necessary,” it added.
In the same notice, Source Music also refuted “the claims regarding the debut timeline and process of [NewJeans]”, saying that Min Hee-jin was responsible for “spread[ing] false information” during her first press conference. “Bringing up an artist’s real name based on unverified and inaccurate information is an irresponsible and serious act that should never be done to any artist. Such one-sided claims not only subject fellow artists to criticism but also spread misinformation to fans and the public, creating an environment where baseless and inaccurate claims circulate,” it continued.
쏘스뮤직에서 알려드립니다. pic.twitter.com/Z30J4FfOA5
— SOURCEMUSIC (@SOURCEMUSIC) March 7, 2025
March 21, 2025 – ADOR’s injunction against NewJeans’ independent activities is granted
On March 21, the Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division 50 granted ADOR’s injunction, preventing NewJeans from pursuing all activities as independent artists. The court ruling notably arrived only two days before the quintet were scheduled to headline ComplexCon Hong Kong, which marked their first performance under their rebranded moniker NJZ. The ruling restricts the quintet from operating as a band without ADOR’s explicit permission.
March 21, 2025 – NewJeans file legal objection against ADOR injunction
A legal objection was filed by NewJeans’ legal team the same day the court granted ADOR’s injunction. Their parents also released a statement addressing the court’s decision, writing: “We believe that the decision did not fully take into account the complete breakdown of trust the members have experienced toward ADOR.”
NewJeans and their team claimed they “did not have sufficient opportunity to fully present the factual background to the court” due to “the urgent nature of injunction proceedings”. They noted that only one hearing was held for the injunction earlier this month before the ruling was made.
March 23, 2025 – NewJeans unveil new song ‘Pitstop’ and announce hiatus
During their headlining ComplexCon set on March 23, NewJeans debuted a new track during their performance called ‘Pitstop’. The song had been teased on their independent Instagram page in the weeks leading up to their performance.
As they wrapped up their set, NewJeans addressed their ongoing legal feud with ADOR and announced a temporary hiatus in accordance with the court’s ruling. “We have decided to stop all activities for the time being in accordance with the court ruling. It wasn’t an easy decision but a necessary one,” they told the crowd.
“Some people may think staying [with ADOR] would have been better for us, but this was about protecting ourselves,” Hyein added. “We believe we will come back stronger and do not regret our decision.”
March 26, 2025 – NewJeans say they’re “very aware of the intense scrutiny and judgement” amid lawsuit
BBC published an interview with the K-pop band on March 26, which included quotes from two sessions held before and after the injunction was granted. “It took a huge amount of courage to speak out,” the band told the outlet.
“This fight is necessary. Although it will be extremely difficult and arduous, we will keep doing what we have done so far and speak up. We thought it was important to tell the world about what we’ve been through. All the choices we’ve made so far have been the best choices we could have made.”
NewJeans described the court ruling as a “shock”. Leader Minji told the outlet she was “stunned” upon receiving the news, and so were the others when she informed them. “At first I thought I didn’t hear her properly,” Danielle added. “We were all kind of in shock.”
“There hasn’t been a single moment when we’ve expressed our opinions without worry or tension,” Minji added. “We’ve thought more than anyone else about how much responsibility each of our actions carries, and we’re currently bearing that responsibility ourselves.”
April 4, 2025 – NewJeans and ADOR attend the first trial for their contract lawsuit, judge calls it a “special case”
The first hearing for the lawsuit filed by ADOR in December 2024 to verify the validity of NewJeans’ contracts was held on April 4. During the trial, NewJeans’ legal team argued that Min Hee-jin’s initial departure from her role as ADOR’s CEO was a “retaliatory act by board members aligned with ADOR’s parent company, HYBE”.
ADOR’s lawyers countered that the conflict between Min Hee-jin and HYBE was unrelated to the group’s dispute. “The defendants argue that they cannot carry out entertainment activities without Min Hee-jin,” they claimed. “While it’s true Min made significant contributions to NewJeans, saying ‘there can be no NewJeans without Min Hee-jin’ is unreasonable.”
NewJeans’ team refuted this, saying that “all circumstances lead to the conclusion that the relationship between the members and ADOR has been irreparably damaged.” They also called ADOR “effectively a different entity” after its management change, “with different values than what the members originally signed with”.
When asked by the judge about the possibility of reaching a settlement or mediation, both sides were divided. While ADOR expressed hope for an agreement, NewJeans’ lawyers told the court that they were “not in a situation where an agreement can be considered at this time.” After hearing both sides, the judge described the ADOR-NewJeans feud as a “special case”.