NewJeans has stunned the K-pop industry by refusing to return to their label, ADOR, even after losing their exclusive contract lawsuit in a decisive court ruling. On November 30, Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division 41, presided over by Chief Judge Jeong Hoe Il, declared that the contract signed on April 21, 2022, remains valid and ordered the group to cover all legal costs. The 40-minute judgment dismantled NewJeans’ arguments, validating HYBE’s audit and revealing former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin’s alleged attempt to seize control, supported by KakaoTalk messages presented in court.
Following the verdict, NewJeans’ representatives at Sejong Law Firm announced that reconciliation with ADOR is impossible due to a complete loss of trust, while ADOR insisted they’re ready to move forward with the group’s comeback plans. Industry insiders have criticized NewJeans’ refusal, calling it a major misstep that could isolate them from the rapidly changing K-pop scene. Meanwhile, legal experts say an appeal is unlikely to succeed given how detailed and definitive the court’s decision was.
If the ruling stands, NewJeans will remain under ADOR’s management until 2029 and cannot perform or promote without the agency’s approval. Many now speculate the group may be holding out until Min Hee Jin launches her new company, Okay, but critics warn that waiting could damage their momentum even further—potentially causing more harm than delay.
