On March 21 KST, the 50th civil division of the Seoul Central District Court approved of the injunction request filed by ADOR against the 5 members of NewJeans (NJZ), demanding a ban on the group’s activities outside of ADOR.
Previously, following the emergency press conference held by the members of NewJeans on November 28, ADOR filed an injunction request in January of this year. The label claimed, “It constitutes a severe breach of contract for the members of NewJeans to carry out independent activities under a new group name before the court makes an official decision regarding their case.”
ADOR later added requests to ban the members from any music and entertainment activities, including writing, composing, singing, performing music, as well as other broadcast activities.
Then, on March 7 KST, both sides appeared at a court hearing to defend their cases. The members of NJZ claimed that they were subject to discrimination and exclusion while under ADOR and HYBE Labels, justifying their decision to terminate their exclusive contracts, while ADOR’s side argued that there was no discrimination or exclusion.
For now, the Seoul Central District Court has sided with ADOR by admitting that it would be unlawful for the members of NJZ to freely conduct entertainment activities without full, legal acknowledgement of their contract termination at court.
Meanwhile, the members of NJZ are scheduled to perform at ‘Complex Con Hong Kong 2025’ on March 23. The group intended on performing a new song on stage. But with the court’s latest decision, it remains to be seen if NJZ will be able to carry out these upcoming schedules.
The first court hearing to determine the validity of the exclusive contract between ADOR and NewJeans will be held on April 3.
