NewJeans Faces Legal Setback Against Ador Amidst Agency Dispute

K-pop group NewJeans has lost a legal battle to leave its record label Ador.

A South Korean court on Tuesday ruled that the act's contract with the label, which runs until 2029, remains valid.

The group's five members - Hanni, Hyein, Haerin, Danielle and Minji - announced last year that they were unilaterally leaving the agency, citing mistreatment and manipulation.

The group has said it will appeal the ruling, according to local media reports.

NewJeans stated it is impossible to return to Ador and continue their activities as normal, the reports said.

The Seoul Central District Court rejected NewJeans' argument that the dismissal of former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin, who was also the group's mentor, constituted a breach of contract. They alleged that her dismissal broke their trust with the agency.

The case has stunned South Korea, where record labels wield large amounts of power and tightly control their stars. It is highly unusual for artists to rebel against them.

Formed in July 2022, NewJeans enjoyed rapid success before their dramatic fallout with the agency.

Their first single Attention topped Korean charts right after their debut, while their hit song SuperShy made multiple best of the year lists at the end of 2023, including those compiled by Rolling Stone, NME, and Billboard Magazine.

Critics have called them a game-changer as their blend of 1990s R&B and sugar-coated pop melodies broke through a K-pop scene dominated by electronic beats.

What led us here?

Tuesday's ruling follows a year-long standoff between the chart-topping group and its agency.

The group's announcement to split from Ador was made in November last year during a press conference, following a long public feud between Min Hee-jin and Ador, as well as its parent company, Hybe - South Korea's largest music label.

Tensions started in April 2024, when Hybe launched audits into Ador, calling for Min to step down.

Min was dismissed as CEO in August, prompting the band to issue an ultimatum for her reinstatement. Before a court intervention, they publicly voiced complaints about the label, alleging it undermined their careers.

One member, Hanni, claimed workplace harassment while working with the label.

In December, Ador filed a lawsuit to confirm the contract's validity amidst ongoing disputes, while NewJeans tried to rebrand themselves as NJZ in February, efforts that were halted by a court order.

Despite facing these challenges, the members expressed commitment to support each other through the ordeal.