Latest news with #NJZ
CNA
a day ago
- Business
- CNA
NewJeans responds to latest court ruling on independent activities
The legal representatives of K-pop girl group NewJeans have responded to a recent court ruling which stipulated that each of the group's five members would have to pay 1 billion won (US$726,800) every time they engage in activities without the approval of South Korean music label Ador. After unilaterally ending their contracts in November 2024, citing workplace harassment and other issues, NewJeans carried out numerous independent activities, including opening a separate Instagram page, providing free food to protestors in South Korea last December, rebranding to NJZ and performing at the pop culture festival ComplexCon Hong Kong in March this year. In January this year, Ador filed an injunction to halt NewJeans' independent activities, which the Seoul Central District Court granted on Mar 21 – days before the group's ComplexCon Hong Kong performance. After their ComplexCon performance, NewJeans declared that the group will go on a hiatus to respect the court's ruling. NewJeans is currently appealing against the injunction. View this post on Instagram A post shared by COMPLEX 中文 (@complexchinese) On May 30, the Seoul Central District Court announced that it had accepted Ador's application for an indirect compulsory enforcement – a type of penalty imposed for not complying with a court order – against NewJeans. As such, the court declared that each NewJeans member will have to pay 1 billion won for every unauthorised activity performed from May 30 onwards. In response, NewJeans' legal team said the recent court ruling is "not related to the ongoing appeal of the original injunction decision". 'Today's indirect compulsory enforcement decision is only temporary until a ruling is made on the injunction appeal,' wrote the team. 'If the NewJeans members win the appeal, both the injunction and the indirect compulsory enforcement decision will become null and void. In practice, when an injunction is granted, a corresponding indirect compulsory enforcement order is typically issued as well.'
Pink Villa
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- 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.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Seoul court clips NewJeans' wings with RM3m fine threat every time they go rogue on Ador
SEOUL, May 31 — K-pop girl group NewJeans has hit a legal snag in their battle with agency Ador, with a Seoul court ruling that the members can't pursue solo or third-party activities outside the agency until their contract dispute is resolved. According to Hankook Ilbo, the Seoul Central District Court yesterday sided partially with Ador, granting an injunction that halts all individual entertainment gigs by the members — unless cleared by the agency. If any of the five violate the order, they'll each be slapped with a hefty one billion won (around RM3.1 million) penalty per breach. This decision comes months after NewJeans notified Ador last November of their intent to terminate their exclusive contracts, citing internal conflicts. Since then, the group has rebranded as NJZ and performed independently, including a high-profile appearance at ComplexCon Hong Kong. Member Haerin also took to social media to thank fans for standing by them during the legal limbo. Yesterday's ruling means those solo efforts are now on ice — at least until the court decides whether the group's contracts with Ador remain valid. In the meantime, NewJeans will also have to shoulder legal costs related to the injunction. The tug-of-war between one of K-pop's hottest acts and their label is far from over. A second court hearing in the main contract case is set for June 5.
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
NewJeans To Pay Hefty Fine For Taking Up Activities Without ADOR's Permission
Last Updated: The court gave the ruling to keep the contract between the agency and NJZ as it is, and to prevent the group from signing separate advertisement contracts. South Korean girl group NJZ (formerly NewJeans) has locked horns with ADOR since November last year over its contract with the agency. In a new update regarding the ongoing legal battle between both parties, a South Korean court has ruled that the quintet, comprising Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein, cannot take part in any independent activities without the permission of ADOR or court orders. On Friday, May 30, Koreaboo reported that the 52nd Civil Affairs Department of the Seoul Central District Court partially approved ADOR's request for an injunction. This was done to keep the contract between the agency and NJZ as it is, and to prevent the group from signing separate advertisement contracts. As per the ruling, the quintet would require ADOR's permission until the court decides whether the contract between them stands valid or not. This decision also means that each of the five members of NJZ is not allowed to take up any projects independently or through any third parties, including music or advertisements, until a final ruling is made about their contract dispute with ADOR. If any of the members break this rule, they could be fined a huge amount. They would need to pay 1 billion KRW (approx. $730,000 or Rs 6.24 crore) to ADOR per violation. NJZ would also be required to pay the legal fees per application if they ever violate the judgment. 'The debtor, NJZ, must not engage in entertainment activities independently or through a third party without ADOR's prior approval or consent until the first trial verdict on the contract's validity is announced," said the court. The new approval comes over two months after the Seoul Central District Court, on March 21, accepted the injunction made by ADOR, giving them the liberty to prevent the quintet from carrying out independent activities. The judgment on the injunction was also expanded to prohibit the five members from engaging in any entertainment activities, such as writing, composing, and singing independently. Moreover, when the quintet challenged the judgment, the court rejected their objection in April. Besides the injunctions, the legal battle between NJZ and ADOR continues. Last year, when the girl group announced its sudden departure from the agency, ADOR initiated legal proceedings to confirm the validity of its contract. The next court hearing, where both sides will present their arguments, is set to take place on June 5. First Published:
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
NewJeans vs ADOR: NJZ's repeated defiance of court ruling could cost them a hefty fee
The South Korean courts appear increasingly frustrated with NewJeans—also known as NJZ—for repeatedly violating legal rulings. The group, consisting of Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein, have continued to defy court orders despite ongoing legal proceedings. Since 2024, the group has been embroiled in a protracted legal battle with their agency, ADOR. On March 21, the court sided with ADOR, granting the agency's request to prohibit NewJeans from independently signing promotional or advertising contracts. When NJZ filed an objection, it was dismissed on April 21, reaffirming the original injunction. Despite the ruling in ADOR's favour, the members appear to have continued violating the court's directive—a move that has not been well received by the judiciary. On May 30, the Seoul Central District Court's 52nd Civil Division once again ruled in favour of ADOR, partially granting another injunction that prohibits the members from engaging in any entertainment activities independently or through third parties—unless they receive prior approval from the agency. What did the court say? According to the court, "The debtor, NJZ, must not engage in entertainment activities independently or through a third party without ADOR's prior approval or consent until the first trial verdict on the contract's validity is announced." To reinforce the injunction, the court introduced a penalty clause that could prove extremely costly. If the members violate the order, NewJeans will have to pay ₩1 billion KRW (approximately $730,000 USD) per violation to ADOR, in addition to covering legal expenses related to the application. This clause applies collectively, meaning the fine could multiply rapidly if violations are repeated or involve multiple members. The ruling aims to preserve the existing contractual relationship between NewJeans and ADOR while the broader lawsuit over the exclusive contract's validity proceeds. The court emphasized maintaining the "status quo" until a first-instance verdict is reached, especially as tensions between the two parties continue to escalate. Why is NewJeans defying the court orders? Despite these decisions, NewJeans maintains that the contract should be terminated, citing a breakdown in trust with the agency. ADOR, on the other hand, is pursuing a separate legal case to confirm the ongoing validity of the exclusive contract. The second oral hearing in the main lawsuit between ADOR and NewJeans is scheduled for June 5, and the outcome could significantly impact the group's future and their ability to promote freely. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
