Latest news with #NewJeans'
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Court orders K-pop girl group NewJeans to pay agency Ador $933,000 for each unauthorised activity
K-pop girl band NewJeans began independent activities after ending their contracts with the K-pop agency in November 2024, citing a breach of exclusivity. PHOTO: REUTERS SEOUL – South Korea's Seoul Central District Court has ruled that each member of NewJeans, the K-pop girl group under Hybe subsidiary Ador, must pay one billion won (S$933,000) to the agency for every entertainment activity carried out without its prior consent. The quintet – made up of members Minji, Danielle, Haerin, Hanni and Hyein – began independent activities after ending their contracts with the K-pop agency in November 2024, citing a breach of exclusivity. In January, Ador filed an injunction to block the group's solo activities and assert its role as NewJeans' management agency. According to a South Korean report, the Seoul court on May 29 accepted Ador's request for an indirect compulsory execution, a legal mechanism used to pressure a party to comply with a court order by imposing monetary penalties for non-compliance. 'Since NewJeans violated the obligations set by the injunction by performing under a new group name and even releasing new songs before and after the injunction ruling, it is necessary to impose indirect compulsory enforcement to ensure compliance with the order,' the court ruled. 'If the debtors violate these obligations from the date they receive the official copy of this decision, they must pay one billion won per violation to the creditor,' it added. The ruling does not apply retrospectively, sparing the five members from owing billions of won for unauthorised activities they have undertaken since unilaterally declaring their exclusive contracts to be terminated. 'Until a verdict on the first trial on the ongoing lawsuit regarding the validity of NewJeans' exclusive contracts is delivered, the members are prohibited from engaging in any entertainment-related activities without Ador's prior approval,' the court stated. In March, the same court sided with Ador in a preliminary injunction that barred NewJeans from signing individual endorsement or entertainment deals outside the agency's purview, further reinforcing the label's legal position in the ongoing conflict. NewJeans rebranded themselves as NJZ in February before the ruling. After the ruling in March, they performed at music festival ComplexCon in Hong Kong and debuted a new song, Pit Stop. They then announced onstage they would go on hiatus out of respect for the court decision. The second hearing in the ongoing main lawsuit to determine the validity of the contracts is scheduled for June 5. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
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.
Pink Villa
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
NewJeans gets slapped with 1 billion KRW penalty for each independent activity without ADOR approval
On May 30, NewJeans and ADOR clashed in court once again over NewJeans' appeal against ADOR's injunction seeking to prohibit the group's independent entertainment activities. Unfortunately for NewJeans, the court ruled in ADOR's favor yet again. According to the latest report by K-media outlet MK Sports, the ruling partially accepted ADOR's injunction request and imposed a hefty fine on the girl group members for each instance of non-compliance. NewJeans faces 1 billion KRW penalty NewJeans is at a disadvantage once again, as the 52nd Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court ordered NewJeans to pay a 1 billion KRW (approximately 726,000 USD) penalty for each independent activity without their label ADOR's approval. As per the latest ruling, the quintet will also not be allowed to participate in entertainment activities through third parties without the agency's knowledge. The arrangement shall persist until the verdict declaration for the ADOR vs. NewJeans' main (exclusive contract validity) lawsuit. NewJeans and ADOR are identified as the obligor and oblige e 'The debtor, NewJeans, shall not engage in independent entertainment activities or through third parties without the prior approval or consent of the creditor, ADOR, until the first-instance judgment in the lawsuit confirming the validity of the exclusive contract is announced,' the court stated. In addition to facing a 1 billion KRW penalty for each violation, NewJeans was also ordered to bear the cost of the injunction application. Following the court's ruling in ADOR's favor, the label gained a significant legal advantage in its dispute with NewJeans over the validity of their exclusive contract. Previous verdict influencing the latest ruling This latest ruling followed the court's previous decisions, which granted ADOR's injunction application on March 21, effectively blocking NewJeans from signing advertisement contracts or pursuing other independent engagements without ADOR's approval. When NewJeans appealed on April 21, the court upheld its earlier verdict, and now the recent decision further reinforced ADOR's position. The dispute between NewJeans and ADOR is far from over, with tensions expected to intensify as the main lawsuit progresses. A second hearing is set for June 5, which may shed more light on the ongoing conflict.
Pink Villa
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Weekly Top Korean News: The Judge from Hell 2 confirmed, BTS' Jungkook-Jimin fly to Japan, Kim Soo Hyun's Knock-Off update, more
This week in Korean entertainment: The Judge from Hell Season 2 is officially confirmed, while BTS' Jungkook and Jimin were spotted heading to Japan sparking major speculation. Meanwhile, Disney breaks its silence on the delay of Kim Soo Hyun's Knock-Off amid controversy. Emotional Oranges clears up rumors about a collab with NewJeans' Danielle, while fresh reports challenge Kim Sae Ron's relationship timeline. Dive in to get all the latest updates and inside details from Korea's hottest stories! The Judge from Hell Season 2 officially confirmed The dark fantasy drama The Judge from Hell is officially returning for Season 2, as confirmed by the showrunner and Studio S' CCO on May 23. The announcement came during the New York Festivals Storytellers Gala 2025, where the drama also won a bronze award. The CCO's parting words hinted at more justice from Hell, teasing the plot's continuation. Season 1 ended on a cliffhanger, with Kang Bit Na (Park Shin Hye) possibly choosing between humanity and her role in Hell. The next season may explore her path as Bael's heir, enforcing justice between realms. Fans are still yearning for her romance with Han Da On (Kim Jae Young) that never fully bloomed. They are buzzing with excitement over the unexpected but highly welcomed return. BTS' Jungkook and Jimin spotted heading to Japan; what could they be up to? On May 24, BTS fans were thrown into a frenzy after reports surfaced of Jungkook being spotted at Gimpo Airport on his way to Japan. Dressed casually in a hoodie and cap, the idol was barely recognizable, but fans were quick to identify him. This comes just a day after Jimin was also reportedly seen at the same airport, also en route to Japan. The back-to-back sightings have sparked a wave of speculation among ARMY. With BTS' FESTA approaching and members nearing military discharge, fans wonder if a surprise project is in the works. Whether it's a secret schedule or a short trip, one thing's clear: anticipation is at an all-time high, and the dream of seeing BTS together again feels closer than ever. Disney breaks silence on Knock-Off delay amid Kim Soo Hyun scandal Kim Soo Hyun's upcoming series Knock-Off faces an uncertain future amid a growing controversy tied to his rumored dating scandal with late Kim Sae Ron. On May 2, promotional posters appeared on IMDb, sparking fresh speculation about the show's release. However, Choi Yeon Woo, Head of Local Content at Walt Disney Korea, confirmed that the series' release has been postponed after an internal review, with no further updates. Rumors of financial penalties against Kim Soo Hyun remain unconfirmed. Meanwhile, co-star Jo Bo Ah has distanced herself from the project and moved on to a new drama, Dear Hongrang. The ongoing legal disputes involving Kim Sae Ron's family add more uncertainty. Fans remain unsure if Knock-Off will ever be released as the situation continues to unfold. NewJeans' Danielle collab with Emotional Oranges? On May 21, American R&B duo Emotional Oranges addressed growing speculation about a possible collaboration with NewJeans' Danielle. The rumors began after the duo posted a photo of Danielle in a studio chair on May 19. They captioned it with 'Just give us some time, guys. It's coming,' along with orange and bunny emojis; symbols linked to Emotional Oranges and NewJeans. This led fans to believe a collaboration was in the works, despite NewJeans currently being restricted from solo activities due to an ongoing legal battle with ADOR. However, the duo later clarified on social media that there's no collaboration with Danielle, explaining, 'I was just helping produce a song for Livvie,' referring to Danielle's sister, Olivia Marsh. They apologized for the confusion and emphasized that misleading fans was never their intention. The original post has since been deleted. Kim Sae Ron's timeline of relationships disputed in new report Kim Sae Ron's past relationships have drawn renewed attention following a May 21 report by Money Today. The actress was reportedly dating a senior idol, referred to as Mr. A, from 2018. They broke up in 2019, reunited in 2022 during her DUI scandal, and parted ways again in early 2023. Insiders claim the pair remained in contact until late 2023, contradicting her family's claims that she dated Kim Soo Hyun from 2015 to 2021. Discrepancies in texts, photos, and timelines have raised doubts, especially as she was also linked to WOODZ in 2021–2022 and others in 2016 and 2019. Kim Soo Hyun's agency earlier denied the Garosero's revealed texts, calling them fabricated, and demanded forensic verification. Photos allegedly proving their relationship also appear to be from after 2019. With no solid evidence submitted, the true timeline of Kim Sae Ron's relationships remains unclear.
Pink Villa
21-05-2025
- Business
- Pink Villa
NewJeans brings in 13 lawyers ahead of June 5 ADOR contract dispute hearing; here's everything we know
NewJeans is stepping up its fight to break away from their agency, ADOR. The ongoing contract conflict between the five-member group and the HYBE subsidiary continues to escalate. Now, both sides are expanding their legal representation in anticipation of the second hearing, scheduled for June 5, 2025. According to legal insiders, NewJeans submitted a revised attorney registration document to the Seoul Eastern District Court on May 9. The update reveals a significant expansion of their legal team, which now consists of 13 attorneys. The group is working with Shin & Kim, one of South Korea's most prestigious law firms. Notably, several lawyers involved in the current case also represented Min Hee Jin, ADOR's former CEO, in her previous legal battles against HYBE. This development underscores the seriousness with which NewJeans is approaching the lawsuit. The group is currently seeking legal confirmation that their exclusive contracts with ADOR are no longer valid. In contrast, ADOR is attempting to affirm the legality of the contracts and retain control over NewJeans' activities. ADOR has also demonstrated its determination by appointing 12 lawyers through Kim & Chang, the largest law firm in Korea. Both parties are now armed with top-tier legal teams. The case is shaping up to be one of the most high-profile entertainment disputes in recent K-pop history. The core issue at the center of the lawsuit is the alleged collapse of trust between NewJeans and ADOR. During the first hearing on April 3, the court examined whether the relationship between the artists and their agency had deteriorated beyond repair. At that time, ADOR reportedly proposed the possibility of a settlement, suggesting there might be room for negotiation. However, NewJeans rejected the proposal outright, signaling that the group is determined to sever ties with their agency, regardless of the outcome. In addition to their legal stance, the group's activities remain under judicial restrictions. Back in March, the court granted ADOR's request for an injunction to suspend the effects of NewJeans' contract termination notice. This means the group is currently barred from conducting independent promotional or professional activities until a final decision is made. Tensions surrounding the dispute heightened further following a recent incident involving member Danielle. On May 19, fans were surprised to see a now-deleted post. It showed Danielle in what appeared to be a recording session with Azad Right of Emotional Oranges. Although the post was removed shortly after being uploaded, it quickly sparked speculation. The post also raises concern over whether the activity was in violation of the ongoing court-imposed restrictions. As the second hearing draws near, anticipation is mounting. The outcome of the lawsuit will likely have lasting implications on NewJeans' future. While it remains unclear whether NewJeans members will appear in court on June 5, what is evident is their commitment to challenging the existing system.
