K-pop Group NJZ Takes Legal Action Against ADOR: 'We Can't Trust Them Anymore'
The legal conflict between K-pop group NJZ (formerly NewJeans) and agency ADOR escalates, with a third court hearing held on July 24.
The ongoing legal conflict between K-pop girl group NJZ (formerly NewJeans) and their agency ADOR continues to escalate, with a third court hearing held on July 24 at the Seoul Central District Court. The session concluded with both parties agreeing to a closed-door mediation meeting scheduled for August 14.
The dispute first emerged in November 2023, when the five-member group, represented by legal counsel, moved to terminate their exclusive contract with ADOR. The agency has since challenged this move, leading to a legal standoff that has brought intense scrutiny to both sides and to former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, whose role has become central to the narrative.
NJZ's lawyers claim the roots of the dispute lie in an audit launched by ADOR's parent company HYBE in April 2024. According to them, the internal investigation unfairly targeted Min, accusing her of attempting to take control of the group – charges that, they argue, lacked credible evidence.
'This legal fight began because HYBE launched an audit against Min Hee Jin in April 2024. They claimed she was trying to seize management control and 'take' NewJeans, but there was no evidence in the audit or grounds for dismissal," the group's legal team stated. 'The main issue was an alleged breach of duty, and in the midst of it all, NewJeans suffered the most. Police later found no evidence of Min Hee Jin committing a breach of duty."
The group's lawyers further alleged that the agency's leadership has shifted significantly, saying, 'Today's ADOR is not the same ADOR that led to our past success. It's now controlled by HYBE staff… We can't trust ADOR anymore, which is why we can't return to it in its current state."
ADOR's legal representatives, however, pushed back strongly. They argued that NJZ's stance has shifted since the start of the dispute, describing their attempt to leave as 'an unreasonable attempt to invalidate the contracts after the fact." ADOR emphasized that over 21 billion won (approximately $15.3 million) had been invested into the group, including 7 billion on their debut album and 2 billion on music videos.
The agency attributed NJZ's rapid rise to careful planning and strategic support, arguing that the group's decision to exit just two years after debut is unfair. ADOR also accused Min Hee-jin of orchestrating the group's departure, citing alleged private messages that outlined a plan to claim plagiarism against HYBE's newer girl group, Illit, and manipulate media coverage. ADOR further alleged that the contract termination letter was prepared by Min's legal team.
In the face of allegations of mismanagement, ADOR maintained that it met its obligations and revealed that each member had earned more than 5 billion won individually. 'The agency is still preparing for the group's comeback," said their legal representative. 'Our staff are waiting for the day they return."
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