A South Korean court on Friday approved an injunction against the K-pop group NewJeans’ attempt to cut ties with its record label, Ador, blocking members from engaging in commercial activities without the label’s consent.
In the latest twist in a long-running feud between the two sides, a panel of judges in the Seoul Central District Court on Friday recognized Ador’s rights as the group’s manager. The ruling could halt the group’s plans to release new songs, organize its own appearances and sign independent advertising deals.
The five members of NewJeans announced their split from Ador last November, accusing the label of mistreatment, and have since renamed the group NJZ. In response, Ador filed a lawsuit to assert its contract rights over the group.
NewJeans said it will challenge the court decision, insisting that the label continued to treat the group unfairly and unequally.
“We believe that the decision did not fully take into account the complete breakdown of trust the members have experienced toward Ador,” NJZ said in a statement. “We did not have sufficient opportunity to fully present the factual background to the court.”
Ador, which disputes the group’s claims of mistreatment, welcomed what it called the court’s decision to “confirm its status as the exclusive management agency of the NewJeans members.”
“With our status as NewJeans’ exclusive agency now legally affirmed, we are fully committed to supporting the artists going forward,” it said in a statement. “We eagerly anticipate meeting with the artists for a heartfelt conversation at the earliest opportunity.”
Both Ador and NewJeans confirmed that the group will participate in the ComplexCon festival in Hong Kong this weekend.
NewJeans and Ador have been embroiled in a dramatic feud that has mesmerized its fans since August 2024. The dispute is centered on Min Hee-Jin, the girl group’s executive producer. Hybe, the parent company of Ador, replaced Ms. Min as Ador’s chief executive last year. NewJeans members went public with their demand for Ms. Min’s reinstatement. When Hybe refused, the group decided to leave Ador.
Hybe is also home to BTS, another global K-pop sensation.
