Court Sides With K-Pop Star NewJeans in Blazing Record Label Fiasc

Seoul, March 21, 2025 — In a significant legal setback for one of K-pop‘s biggest stars, a South Korean court has denied the hit group NewJeans in their ongoing contract dispute against their record company, Ador. The ruling essentially prohibits the group, who had recently changed their name to NJZ, from pursuing any independent activities without the approval of Ador.
On Friday, Ador was awarded an injunction in the Seoul court, upholding the validity of the band‘s current contracts and preventing them from recording music, signing ad promotion deals, or making promotional appearances outside of control by the label.

Band‘s Battle for Independence Runs into Brick Wall

The ruling follows months of escalating tensions. In August 2024, conflict erupted after Hybe Corporation, Ador’s parent company, allegedly forced out Min Hee-Jin, the group’s mentor and creative lead. In protest, NewJeans issued a public ultimatum demanding Min’s reinstatement, accusing the label of sabotaging their careers and mistreating its members.
One of the band members, Hanni, notably alleged workplace harassment while under the label’s management.
In November, the five members , Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein issued a press conference declaring their breakup with Ador, claiming Hybe and Ador had “lost the right” to be their representatives. They subsequently submitted legal papers to terminate their contractual relationship entirely.
The group has since gone about on their own under the label NJZ, releasing their own Instagram account “jeanzforfree”, planning appearances, and hinting at new music.

Uncertain Future for New Release & New Identity

The court ruling not only puts a stop to their independent endeavors but also puts a huge question mark on the release of their new single, which was scheduled for this Sunday. It also makes any effort to re-debut under the NJZ banner all the more difficult, with possible dire financial consequences hanging over any contract breach.
Though NewJeans have openly promised to “stay NewJeans at heart,” the court’s decision is a harsh reminder of the K-pop industry‘s strict contractual environment.

Ador’s Legal Triumph

Ador first sued to enforce NewJeans‘ contracts after accusing the group of breaching agreements by trying to sign solo deals. In January, the label sued for an injunction to stop them from engaging in unauthorized activities, leading to today‘s court triumph.
The ruling could create a precedent in future cases about K-pop performers wanting greater authority over their own careers, with fan and public pressure increasing on how artists are treated in the industry.

From Global Stars to Legal Struggles

NewJeans, who exploded onto the music scene with their retro 1990s R&B vibes and addictive pop hooks, had meteoric success. They were the eighth highest-selling act globally in 2023 and received a Best Group nomination at the MTV Awards.
But their quick rise has now been eclipsed by court battles, with fans and industry analysts closely watching how the conflict will influence both the group‘s path and wider discussions about artist rights in the K-pop universe.

Look for further coverage of the NewJeans-Ador case and its ramifications for the international K-pop Industry.