New Jeans Contract Dispute: Group’s Ultimatum to ADOR Nears Deadline
Deadline approaches for the resolution of NewJeans’ contract dispute with their agency, ADOR. On November 13, 2024, the girl group sent a proof of content to ADOR, demanding corrections to alleged contract violations within 14 days.
New Jeans’ Demands and Allegations
The five members of New Jeans – Kim Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Kang Haerin, and Lee Hyein – issued a statement through New Jeans using their real names. Their key demands include:
- Reinstatement of Min Hee-jin, former CEO of ADOR
- An official apology from other artists’ manager who allegedly told Hanni to “ignore her”
- Action against HYBE’s reported statement that they could “throw away NewJeans and make a new edition”
The group threatened to terminate their exclusive contract if these issues were not addressed within the specified timeframe.
ADOR’s Response and Recent Developments
ADOR acknowledged receipt of the content certificate, stating they were reviewing the specific requests. The agency promised to “do our best to solve it wisely and continue to be with the artist.”
To read an article about how ADOR responded to the New Jeans’ members’ demand > ADOR received NewJeans certified content, reviewing it “We’ll solve it wisely” on 14th
As the 14-day deadline approaches, significant developments have unfolded in the NewJeans contract dispute. On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, Min Hee-jin announced her resignation from her position as executive director of ADOR, marking a major shift in the company’s leadership. Following her departure, Min Hee-jin has taken decisive legal action against HYBE, escalating the conflict to new heights. She filed a complaint against Kim Tae-ho, the CEO of HYBE-affiliated label Belift Lab, accusing him of defamation.
Additionally, Min Hee-jin is seeking substantial damages from HYBE, requesting a sum of 5 billion won. Her legal offensive extends further, as she has also accused HYBE’s chief public relations officer Park Tae-hee and head of public relations Cho Sung-hoon of professional breach of trust. These actions have intensified the already complex situation, adding new layers to the ongoing dispute between New Jeans, ADOR, and HYBE.
Potential Outcomes and Industry Impact
With Min Hee-jin’s return to ADOR virtually canceled, attention is now focused on what position both sides will announce today, November 27, 2024 – the day of the deadline. If New Jeans decides to leave the company in solidarity with Min Hee-jin, a dispute over the termination of the exclusive contract is expected.
The outcome of this conflict could have far-reaching consequences for NewJeans and the broader K-pop industry. It may set a precedent for how artist-agency disputes are handled and potentially influence future contract negotiations and artist rights across the Korean entertainment sector.
As the K-pop world awaits the announcements from both parties on this crucial day, the future of one of the industry’s most promising young groups hangs in the balance. The decisions made in the coming hours could significantly impact NewJeans’ career trajectory and potentially reshape the landscape of the K-pop industry.
