A South Korean court has issued an injunction preventing K-pop group NewJeans from pursuing independent projects, further escalating the ongoing dispute between the group and their label, ADOR.
The Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of ADOR on Friday, affirming the label’s exclusive management rights over the group. The injunction prohibits NewJeans members from engaging in commercial activities without ADOR’s approval, the court stated.
Last November, the five-member group announced their departure from ADOR, rebranded as NJZ, and planned to release new music this month. However, the court’s ruling casts uncertainty over those plans.
In response, the group stated, “NJZ respects the court’s decision. However, we believe it does not fully acknowledge the complete breakdown of trust between the members and ADOR.”
The dispute stems from internal conflicts between ADOR’s parent company and the group’s creative director, who has since left the label. NewJeans members have expressed their desire to continue working with the director, accusing ADOR of mistreatment—claims the label has denied, asserting the contract remains valid.
ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE, the powerhouse behind BTS, welcomed the court’s ruling. “With our legal status as NewJeans’ exclusive agency reaffirmed, we are fully committed to supporting the artists,” ADOR said, adding that it would be present at the group’s upcoming performance in Hong Kong.
The controversy surrounding NewJeans has dominated headlines in South Korea and beyond, involving allegations, audits, and an emotional press conference by the group.
