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NewJeans' Meteoric Rise Stalled by Prolonged Legal Battle with Agency
11 Nov
Summary
- Court rules in favor of ADOR's valid contract, rejecting NewJeans' claims
- Prolonged lawsuits risk transforming 'NewJeans' into 'OldJeans'
- ADOR founder Min Hee-jin faces separate legal troubles with HYBE
As of November 11th, 2025, the meteoric rise of K-pop group NewJeans has hit a major roadblock. The group, known for their fresh and unique concept, is embroiled in a prolonged legal battle with their agency ADOR over contract termination claims.
In October 2025, the Seoul Central District Court rejected the six claims made by NewJeans to terminate their exclusive contract, ruling in favor of ADOR's valid contract. Though the group immediately declared an appeal, public legal experts and analysts widely expect the second trial to again favor ADOR.
The legal commentators warn that dragging the case to the Supreme Court could extend NewJeans' hiatus until 2027, effectively halting their activities during their coveted golden years. This harsh reality of the K-pop industry poses a significant threat, as the window for maintaining a fresh, new artist image is typically just a few years.
Adding to the group's woes, the "Mom of NewJeans," former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, also faces separate legal troubles involving a 26 billion KRW put option dispute with HYBE. This layered legal conflict casts an ominous shadow over NewJeans' future, making their resurgence increasingly uncertain as contract enforcement binds them to ADOR and litigation drags on.
