ADOR Urges NewJeans to Return as Court Rejects Appeal for Independent Activities
ADOR calls for NewJeans to return to the label after the court dismisses their request for independent activities. The legal dispute continues amid rising tensions between the group and the agency.
Court backs ADOR, blocking NewJeans’ independent activities.
The ongoing legal battle between K-pop girl group NewJeans and their agency ADOR has taken a decisive turn. On June 17, 2025, the Seoul High Court ruled in favor of ADOR, rejecting the group’s appeal to engage in independent activities without agency oversight. This verdict upholds a previous lower court decision, reaffirming that ADOR remains the exclusive management agency for NewJeans.
ADOR Welcomes Court’s Decision
Following the ruling, ADOR released a statement on June 18, expressing gratitude toward the court and reinforcing its stance.
“Yesterday’s ruling clearly confirmed that ADOR is the official agency of NewJeans,” the statement read. “We express our sincere thanks to the court for its judgment.”
The agency went on to urge the group to reconcile and return to active promotions under ADOR. “We hope this decision becomes a turning point for the members to return to where they belong—as NewJeans. With their third debut anniversary approaching on July 22, ADOR is fully committed to supporting their growth and future success,” the agency added.
Background: Contract Dispute and Legal Action
The conflict began in late 2024, when the members of NewJeans claimed that their exclusive contracts with ADOR were voided in November due to alleged breaches by the agency. As a result, they began seeking independent schedules outside of ADOR’s control.
ADOR responded by filing a lawsuit to affirm the validity of the contracts and requested an injunction to prevent the group from pursuing solo activities. The court has now upheld that injunction, meaning all professional engagements must continue to go through ADOR until further legal resolution.
What Lies Ahead: Trial Continues in July
Though the injunction has been upheld, the broader legal case remains unresolved. A third court hearing concerning the legality of NewJeans’ exclusive contracts is scheduled for July 24, 2025.
Both ADOR and the group’s members remain firm in their positions. ADOR insists on the enforceability of the contracts, while the members are pushing for independence. The upcoming hearing may prove pivotal for determining the future of one of K-pop’s most high-profile groups.
