NewJeans: Why one of K-pop’s biggest bands is being sued by its own label
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Five-member girl group has been embroiled in a contract dispute with their agency since last year. The entertainment agency that manages NewJeans is taking legal action to prevent the Korean girl group from signing advertising deals independently amid a fierce contract dispute.
![[Min Hee Jin held a press conference denying Hybe’s claim that she had attempted a corporate takeover]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/14/15/gettyimages-2150085442-612x612.jpg)
Ador announced on 13 January that they had filed an injunction request to the Seoul Central District Court both to reestablish their position as the management agency of NewJeans and to stop members from pursuing advertising contracts and activities without approval.
![[NewJeans announced they were terminating their exclusive contract with Ador due to breach of contract]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/14/16/gettyimages-2187283013-612x612.jpg)
Ador said the band of five had been pursuing advertisers to sign independent brand deals despite the ongoing contract dispute, South Korean state news agency Yonhap reported. “This decision was made to prevent confusion and potential harm to third parties, including advertisers,” Ador said in a statement.
The agency said in their injunction application that the group’s unilateral contract termination could have implications for South Korea’s music industry. “Allowing unilateral terminations of exclusive contracts and independent activities without legal procedures could undermine investment in the entertainment industry and destabilise the K-pop sector,” Yonhap quoted the application as saying.
Ador and NewJeans have been embroiled in a feud since last year. The dispute escalated after the group held a press conference where they declared their contract invalid, accusing the agency of mistreatment and bullying. The company maintained their contract “remains in full effect” and filed a lawsuit to confirm it.
