NewJeans vs ADOR: Former clarifies 1 billion KRW penalty for independent activities would be 'void' if they won injunction case
NewJeans have been embroiled in a legal dispute with their label for quite some time now. On May 30, another court hearing for ADOR's injunction to halt the quintet's independent entertainment activities, took place. The ruling went against NewJeans as they were asked to pay a subsequent penalty amount on each violation of the court's verdict. After the news spread online, the girl group clarified the nature of the fine, as per K-media outlet Daily Sports.
NewJeans slapped with 1 billion KRW penalty
The Seoul Central District Court's 52nd Civil Division stayed with their previous verdict that NewJeans can't engage in independent entertainment activities or work with third-party agencies without ADOR's approval. If they violate this ruling, each member will face a 1 billion KRW (approximately 730,000 USD) fine per instance, potentially totaling 5 billion KRW (around 3.6 million USD) if all members participate in a single unapproved activity.
This restriction, however, will remain in place until the court decides on the validity of their exclusive contract with ADOR.
NewJeans' comment on 1 billion KRW penalty
According to NewJeans' legal representative, the court's decision to restrict the girl group's activities is "temporary" and will only be in effect until a final decision on the injunction case is made. If NewJeans wins the appeal, the restrictions will be lifted, and the enforcement order will be canceled, essentially nullifying the current ruling.
"If the NewJeans members win the appeal, both the injunction and the enforcement order will be void," NewJeans' side said.
NewJeans' instances of violations prior to the latest ruling
The Seoul court noted that NewJeans had already breached the injunction by reportedly preparing for overseas concerts and releasing new music under their new and unauthorised moniker, NJZ. This was mentioned as an example of non-compliance of the latest ruling, and similar instances in future will influence the court's decision to impose the 1 billion KRW penalty.
Future of NewJeans' appeal against injunction
As per the quintet's legal counsel, the May 30 verdict of "indirect enforcement" was based on a previous injunction from March 21. They explained that the new ruling was a "separate matter from the ongoing appeal against that injunction," which was "still under review" by the court. Hence, it can be said that the latest court decision will not predetermine the outcome of the injunction appeal.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Pink Villa
2 hours ago
- Pink Villa
Will NewJeans have to pay 5 billion KRW for violating court rulings? Here's how ADOR could make group pay hefty fine
The legal battle between K-pop girl group NewJeans and their agency ADOR has escalated further. The Seoul Central District Court issued a decisive ruling in favor of the agency on May 30. The court concluded that the group had breached the terms of an earlier injunction and approved ADOR's request for indirect enforcement. It introduced substantial financial consequences for continued non-compliance. Court confirms violation of March injunction According to the ruling delivered by the court's 52nd Civil Division, NewJeans continued to operate independently, even after the injunction was granted in March 2025. The court specifically cited the group's use of the new name NJZ and the release of new music as activities that violated the court's order. These independent promotions took place both before and after the injunction was issued. They were considered apparent breaches of the legal agreement. Hefty fine imposed on members In response to what the court described as a 'likelihood of continued violations,' it approved a heavy enforcement measure. The ruling imposes a 1 billion KRW fine per member for each instance of unauthorized activity. If all five members are involved in such activities collectively, the penalty could reach a staggering 5 billion KRW per incident. This form of indirect enforcement is intended to deter the group from carrying out any further independent promotions without ADOR 's approval. The court's decision sends a clear message that any disregard for the injunction will come with major financial risk. Dispute traces back to contract termination The conflict began in November 2024, when NewJeans made a surprise announcement declaring the termination of their exclusive contracts with ADOR. The members expressed their intent to part ways with the agency. This move prompted ADOR to initiate legal proceedings. By March 2025, the agency had successfully obtained an injunction restricting the group from signing advertising deals or appearing in events without ADOR's consent. Despite the legal restrictions, the group appeared at ComplexCon in late March, performing and promoting under their new identity NJZ. This public appearance, coupled with the release of new material, led ADOR to pursue indirect enforcement from the court. It resulted in the newly approved fines. NewJeans' response In response to the court's ruling, representatives for NewJeans issued a statement clarifying that the order is not final. 'This indirect enforcement decision is temporary until the injunction appeal is resolved,' the group's legal team noted. 'If the appeal succeeds, both the injunction and the fine lose effect.' The next step in the legal process will be the second hearing for the main contract lawsuit, scheduled for June 5.
Mint
6 hours ago
- Mint
Squid Game 3 trailer takes social media by storm, netizens buzz: 'Not a simple jump rope game, inspired by Korean…'
Squid Game Season 3 official trailer release took social media by storm after streaming giant Netflix dropped the full-length trailer of the most awaited series. Promising fans a psychological warfare ride, Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) is back in action. The finale, crafted by Hwang Dong-hyuk, features 'the fierce clash between two (Gi-hun and Front Man) worlds' as the latest series picks up in the aftermath of Season 2's bloody cliffhanger. Featuring twisted new spins on classic games, Front Man welcomes mysterious VIPs in Season 3 while his brother Jun-ho continues his search for the elusive island. Beloved characters - Hwang Jun-ho, Hyun-ju, and Geum-ja will mark their return in the global K-drama. A user wrote, 'Not having to wait 2-3 years between seasons is so refreshing.' Another user replied, 'Gi-hun entering Squid Game again like it's a part-time job.' A third user commented, 'The jump rope game doesn't seem to be just a simple jump rope game… it appears to be inspired by a traditional Korean children's game called 'Kkomaya Kkomaya' (which means 'Little friend, little friend' in Korean). While jumping rope, players are likely required to perform small actions in sync with the lyrics—things like 'Little friend, little friend, turn around, turn and turn, touch the ground, touch it and touch it, shout hooray.'' A fourth user remarked, 'The identity reveal we've all been waiting for is going to be CRAZY.' A fifth user stated, 'Netflix blessed us with 4 masterpieces in one day.' A sixth user said, 'Less than a month!? Thank you for not making us wait until 2028 after the trailer drops, looks 🔥.' Netflix in a post on X stated, "Green light, red light aur ek aakhri fight. Watch Squid Game final season out 27 June, only on Netflix." Ahead of scheduled final season premiere on June 27 on Netflix, the trailer is a bomb shell building the excitement. The highly anticipated latest season comes six months after its prequel debuted on Netflix on December 26 and almost a week after Netflix dropped its teaser.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Squid Game' season 3 team attends TUDUM 2025: T.O.P makes stage comeback, Park Sung Hoon appears after porn parody controversy
The global Squid Game phenomenon had a big night at Netflix's TUDUM 2025 event, held at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on May 31. As fans around the world eagerly awaited an update on the record-breaking K-drama, stars Lee Jung Jae and Lee Byung Hun took to the stage to deliver exactly that—and much more. After briefly introducing themselves, the two leads surprised the crowd by inviting more cast members to join them: Park Sung Hoon, Kang Ae Shim, and, most notably, T.O.P. Their appearance set the stage for the long-awaited reveal of the official trailer for Squid Game Season 3, the final chapter in the harrowing Korean survival saga. T.O.P makes first stage appearance since leaving BIGBANG T.O.P's appearance on the TUDUM stage marked a major turning point in his career. Greeting fans with a charismatic 'What's up, Netflix fans!' he stood in the spotlight for the first time since leaving the K-pop group BIGBANG in 2017. His exit followed a widely publicised drug scandal that caused him to step back from public life entirely. Squid Game season 2 marked his return to the spotlight. the way they chanting "T.O.P T.O.P" oh SEUNGHYUN you're really A SUPERSTAR it's crazy to me that this newer generation may only know him thanos but baby y'all don't understand, that is THE ONE AND ONLY T.O.P. standing before you rn i would die fr For years, T.O.P remained out of the entertainment scene, only occasionally surfacing through art-related projects. His casting in Squid Game's second season surprised fans and critics alike, sparking backlash across South Korea over his past controversies. However, creator Hwang Dong-hyu was confident about his choices, and backed the idol-actor publicly despite heavy criticism. His character, Thanos, won over the global audience with his hilarious antics and nonchalant nature in an otherwise grim setting. Now, his live appearance at TUDUM 2025 confirmed he's ready to take the big stage. Park Sung Hoon returns to spotlight after porn parody controversy SET! DUL! HANA! #TUDUM Actor Park Sung Hoon also made headlines for attending the event, following a controversy that erupted in December 2024. The actor came under fire after posting a parody image of Squid Game with adult content to his Instagram, just days after the tragic Jeju Air crash that left 179 dead, many of them K-pop fans returning from the Asia Artist Awards in Bangkok. The timing and nature of the post, shared during a national mourning period, sparked outrage among his longtime followers who had praised him for taking on a transgender character on the Netflix show. Although Park deleted the post and did not directly address it afterward, the backlash was significant. His appearance at TUDUM drew mixed reactions—some applauded his professionalism, while others questioned the decision to feature him so prominently. Squid Game season 3 trailer drops The centrepiece of the night was, without question, the dramatic trailer for Squid Game Season 3. Picking up after the brutal cliffhanger ending of Season 2, the new season sees Gi Hun (Lee Jung Jae), also known as Player 456, at his lowest point, reeling from betrayal, loss, and facing moral dilemma. But the game continues, and the stakes are higher than ever. Every game must come to an end. Squid Game. The final season. June 27. #TUDUM According to Netflix, in the third and final season, with each deadly round, the surviving players face increasingly impossible choices that test their morality and will to survive. Meanwhile, Front Man (Lee Byung Hun) resumes his chilling duties, hosting a new group of VIPs, while his brother, police officer Jun Ho, continues his dangerous search—unaware that a traitor walks among his allies. Squid Game season 3 will be released on June 27, 2025.
