Court Upholds NewJeans’ ADOR Contracts; Members Plan Appeal
On October 30, 2023, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that the exclusive contracts between ADOR and the five members of NewJeans are valid. This decision comes after ADOR sought legal confirmation regarding their contracts following a tumultuous period for the group.
Court Ruling Details
The 41st Civil Division of the court found in favor of ADOR in the lawsuit concerning the validity of the contracts. The court stated that the dismissal of former CEO Min Hee Jin did not breach the contract. They acknowledged that her removal could not alone determine the contracts’ validity, as there was no contractual clause addressing this issue.
Key Findings
- The court noted, “Even if Min Hee Jin was removed from the CEO position, she could have performed producer duties.”
- The judge expressed that the continued validity of contracts remains intact even after Min Hee Jin’s dismissal.
- ADOR demonstrated effort in managing the group despite changes in leadership.
Concerns of Workplace Harassment
The ruling also addressed allegations of harassment made by NewJeans members, specifically regarding comments from a manager of ILLIT, a girl group under BELIFT LAB. The court determined that the evidence did not substantiate claims that the comments infringed on Hanni’s personality rights.
Evidence and Responses
- Evidence showed insufficient grounds to confirm Hanni’s claims of workplace harassment.
- ADOR was found to have taken adequate steps to investigate the situation.
Next Steps for NewJeans Members
Following the ruling, the legal representation for the NewJeans members announced plans to appeal the decision. They emphasized that, despite respecting the court’s ruling, their trust in ADOR had significantly deteriorated, making a return to the company unfeasible.
Official Statement from NewJeans’ Legal Team
The statement read: “The members will immediately appeal the first-instance ruling and hope for a thorough review by the appellate court.” They expressed gratitude to fans for their support during this ongoing situation.
Background Context
Previously, in November 2022, NewJeans held an emergency press conference, indicating their intention to leave ADOR due to unresolved issues. This included calls for the reinstatement of former CEO Min Hee Jin, who had been dismissed following a conflict with HYBE, ADOR’s parent company.
In February earlier this year, the members announced their new group name, NJZ, as they embarked on independent activities. Nonetheless, ADOR maintained that their exclusive contracts remained valid and initiated legal action last December. The volatility surrounding NewJeans reflects ongoing tensions within the K-pop industry.
