Following a court ruling that limits their ability to perform and create music, South Korean K-pop group NewJeans has decided to pause all activities. The quintet, who recently performed at ComplexCon Hong Kong, plans to fight the legal decision while expressing their commitment to uphold their rights and values.
NewJeans Announce Temporary Hiatus Following Court Ruling Against Them
NewJeans Announce Temporary Hiatus Following Court Ruling Against Them
The popular K-pop group NewJeans is halting all activities as they navigate a court ruling that restricts their professional engagements with label Ador.
The renowned South Korean K-pop group NewJeans has officially announced a hiatus from their activities after a recent court ruling went against them in a dispute with their record label, Ador. During their performance at ComplexCon Hong Kong this past Sunday, the five-member group revealed that it would be their last show "for a little while," following the debut of their new track "Pit Stop."
On Friday, a Seoul court prohibited NewJeans from organizing appearances, making music, or entering advertising agreements while their legal battle with Ador continues. The group is taking steps to sever ties with the label, citing alleged mistreatment, and they plan to appeal the court's judgment.
The lighting at the sold-out concert, attended by over 11,000 fans, signified their resilience, as the members—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Heyin—read a heartfelt message in both English and Korean. "This stage means so much to us, and to everyone that gives us strength just by being here," stated Hanni and Dani in an emotional address. They noted, "Out of respect for the court’s decision, we’ve decided to pause all our activities for now."
Acknowledging the difficulty of their decision, they expressed confidence in prioritizing their well-being to ensure a stronger comeback. "We had to speak up to protect the values that we believe in. That was not a choice we regret," they added, affirming their commitment to advocate for their rights and dignity.
Ador responded on Monday, stating they "regret the members’ decision to proceed with a performance under a name other than NewJeans," contravening the court order, and expressed a willingness to meet with the group to reassess their cooperation in line with contractual obligations.
NewJeans has been engaged in this ongoing dispute with Ador since August 2024, prompted by claims of undermining the group's career and allegations of workplace harassment from member Hanni. The court held that the group failed to demonstrate that Ador breached their contractual duties, emphasizing that the label had satisfactorily fulfilled most of its obligations, including payment.
The court's decision has severe implications for NewJeans' efforts to rebrand as NJZ, limiting their ability to pursue independent career opportunities and risking financial penalties for breaching their contract. With their blend of nostalgic 1990s R&B and contemporary pop melodies, NewJeans has rapidly ascended the K-pop scene, becoming the eighth biggest-selling act globally in 2023 and earning a nomination for best group at the MTV Awards last year.
