Jaehwa Bernardo

K-pop group NewJeans. Photo from NewJeans' X account

Article (news)

K-pop label ADOR hopes NewJeans resume activities after new court ruling

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1750228447890Newjeans.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">K-pop group NewJeans. <em>Photo from NewJeans&#x27; X account</em></span></span></span></div><p>ADOR, the label under K-pop giant HYBE, said Wednesday it hopes the members of girl group NewJeans will &quot;return to their rightful place&quot; and resume promotional activities, following a Seoul court&#x27;s decision reaffirming that the group cannot pursue independent activities.</p><p>On Tuesday, the Seoul High Court rejected an appeal filed by the five members of NewJeans, upholding a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/3/21/k-pop-group-newjeans-ordered-to-halt-independent-activities-reports-1557"><strong>preliminary injunction</strong></a> that prohibits them from engaging in independent entertainment activities without prior approval from ADOR.</p><p>&quot;We sincerely appreciate the court’s decision,&quot; ADOR said in a statement.</p><p>&quot;We hope that this ruling will serve as an opportunity for the members to return to their rightful place as NewJeans and resume their activities,&quot; it added.</p><p>ADOR reiterated its commitment to &quot;providing full support for the artists&#x27; further growth and success,&quot; noting that NewJeans is approaching its third debut anniversary in July.</p><p>In November, the five members — Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein — <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2024/11/28/k-pop-group-newjeans-to-terminate-contract-with-label-ador-2011"><strong>announced</strong></a> they were terminating their contracts with ADOR, citing mistreatment. </p><p>The agency later filed a preliminary injunction to bar the quintet, which rebranded as NJZ in February, from engaging in promotional activities without its approval.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2024/11/29/5-things-to-know-about-newjeans-shock-split-from-agency-1653"><strong>READ: 5 things to know about NewJeans&#x27; shock split from agency</strong></a></div><p>The dispute between NewJeans and ADOR is rooted in a broader conflict between ADOR&#x27;s former CEO and NewJeans&#x27; mentor, Min Hee-jin, and parent company HYBE.</p><p>Following their debut in 2022, NewJeans were considered one of the fastest-rising new bands in K-pop, garnering a large fan base with their sound reminiscent of 1990s and early 2000s pop and R&amp;B.</p><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CottVz0rX0E?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>ADOR, the label under K-pop giant HYBE, said Wednesday it hopes the members of girl group NewJeans will 'return to their rightful place' and resume promotional activities, following a Seoul court's decision reaffirming that the group cannot pursue independent activities.</p>

ADOR, the label under K-pop giant HYBE, said Wednesday it hopes the members of girl group NewJeans will 'return to their rightful place' and resume promotional activities, following a Seoul court's decision reaffirming that the group cannot pursue independent activities.