South Korean Court Prevents K-pop Group NewJeans from Departing Agency

A South Korean court issued an injunction forbidding members of K-pop group NewJeans from engaging in solo projects, fueling the ongoing feud between the group and label, ADOR.

The Seoul Central District Court supported ADOR’s appeal to maintain its jurisdiction over the management of NewJeans and prohibited the members from pursuing commercial activities without the endorsement of the label. This ruling makes it difficult for the group to start anew and carry out its endeavor under a new identity.

The five members announced their exit from ADOR last November, announcing a new group name—NJZ—and a song release this month. The latest ruling, however, has brought their plans into question. NJZ responded that they would appeal the ruling.

“NJZ honors the ruling of the court. But we feel that the ruling did not consider in its entirety the total erosion of trust the members have undergone against ADOR,” they wrote in an Instagram post.

The controversy is tied to internal clashes between managers of ADOR’s parent label and the band’s former creative director, who is no longer at the label. The scandal over NewJeans made headlines worldwide last year, with allegations, audits, and a tearful press conference by the group members.

The members have said they want to continue collaborating with their previous creative director, alleging mistreatment by ADOR—something the label has denied. ADOR insists that their contracts are still in effect.

ADOR, which is owned by the giant entertainment firm HYBE, also handles global K-pop sensation BTS. The company embraced the ruling, saying, “With our exclusive agency status for NewJeans now legally established, we are more committed than ever to promoting the artists in the future.”

More importantly, ADOR confirmed its attendance at the group’s planned performance in Hong Kong on Sunday.