https://isplus.com/article/view/isp202503070051
Mar 07 2025, 11:13 KST
The preliminary hearing for the injunction filed by ADOR against NewJeans (NJZ) members regarding the preservation of agency status and prohibition of advertising contract conclusions was held at the Seoul Central District Court on the morning of the 7th. NewJeans was seen entering the courthouse. Reporter Seo Byung-soo [email protected] /2025.03.07/
The NewJeans (NJZ) side claimed that HYBE discriminated against them compared to L********* from another label.
On the 7th at 10:30 AM, a hearing was held at the Seoul Central District Court's 50th Civil Division regarding the injunction filed by ADOR against the 5 members of NewJeans (NJZ) for preservation of agency status and prohibition of advertising contract execution.
The legal representative for NewJeans (NJZ) stated, "All of these events - HYBE's massive media play, restructuring of New Berry, plagiarism controversy with ILLIT, and the breakdown of cooperation with Dolphiners - occurred from 2023 to 2024. No other artist under HYBE labels, except for the debtors, has experienced such treatment."
They added, "Furthermore, while other HYBE labels continued to engage in unfair practices, the creditor had no ability to prevent or take remedial measures. If the same situation had occurred at another agency, they wouldn't have remained as passive as the creditor."
In particular, the NewJeans (NJZ) side mentioned L********* from HYBE's Source Music label, claiming "there was discrimination."
NewJeans (NJZ) revealed, "HYBE had promised that NewJeans (NJZ) would debut as 'HYBE's first girl group.' Former CEO Min Hee-jin also joined HYBE under this expectation. However, after the debut evaluation in March 2021, HYBE neglected the debtors until September 2021."
They continued, "During that time, Source Music recruited Sa****, Kim , and Huh , and debuted L first. There was no explanation given. Notably, when member Hyein was selected as a brand ambassador, L***** was suddenly appointed as the ambassador for the same brand," adding, "When we checked with the brand, we learned that HYBE had made the request first, and we even received an apology from the brand who assumed they had naturally sought our understanding."
This injunction hearing is the first legal proceeding since NewJeans (NJZ) declared the termination of their exclusive contract with ADOR last November. ADOR filed for the injunction in January to prevent NewJeans (NJZ) members from entering into independent advertising contracts and activities.
At the time, ADOR stated, "It is regrettable that the members are attempting independent entertainment activities, such as soliciting a new group name, before receiving legal judgment, as this could constitute a serious breach of contract."
In response, the members countered, "Even after the termination of the exclusive contract, we wanted to conclude the remaining schedules and contracts amicably without conflict, and hoped to avoid causing harm to stakeholders. Seeing ADOR and HYBE, who are not cooperating with these intentions and efforts, and are causing harm to us and many others through improper methods, we decided to no longer remain silent," adding, "We will fight proudly in court to clearly expose the wrongdoings of ADOR and HYBE, and to reveal the truth through legal proceedings."
Subsequently, the NewJeans (NJZ) members changed their team name to 'NJZ', established official SNS accounts, and began independent activities. In March, they were also included in the lineup for the Hong Kong festival concert series 'Complex Live', where they plan to premiere their new song under the name NJZ. Both parties also clashed intensely a day before the injunction hearing date.