Latest news with #PitStop
Straits Times
01-06-2025
- 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.
Axios
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Indianapolis weekend events: Aldabra Tortoises return, Pacers, Fever and more
It seems like everyone in Indy has the need for speed. Yes, but: For those who prefer to take it slow, we've got the perfect recommendations for fun away from the hustle and bustle of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. What's happening: Step into the city's slowest pit stop to see the giant Aldabra tortoises make their return to the Indianapolis Zoo this Memorial Day weekend. Two males and three females are joining the zoo family, with two of them being welcomed back to the Circle City after calling the facility home in the ' 90s and 2000s. Their permanent home is still being built, so they're spending their time in an exhibit space called "The Pit Stop" near the flamingoes. If you go: 1200 W. Washington St. Open 9am-5pm Monday-Thursday and 9am-7pm Friday-Sunday. Memorial Day hours will be extended until 7pm. Tickets start at $32. Here are the rest of our weekend picks: 🏁 Make your own checkered flag Indy 500 paperweight out of glass during a class at Glass Arts Indiana, 1pm Friday. Tickets start at $75. 🎸 Head south to Bean Blossom for three days of music, workshops and vibes during The Americana Bean Jamboree at Bill Monroe's Memorial Music Park & Campground, 5-9pm Friday and Saturday. 🏀 See the Indiana Fever take on the New York Liberty, 1pm Saturday. Tickets start at $32. 🎵 Enjoy the return of Moon Drops Distillery's free summer concert series when local band The Two Jasons hit the stage, 7pm Saturday. 🤘 Witness Puscifer, Primus and A Perfect Circle coming together on the Sessanta tour, 8pm Saturday at Ruoff Music Center. Tickets start at $54. 📣 Cheer on some ultimate frisbee action when the Indianapolis Alleycats host the Detroit Mechanix at Kuntz Stadium, 6pm Saturday. ⛹️ See if the Pacers can topple the Knicks in Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 8pm Sunday.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
K-Pop Group NewJeans Vows to Continue Label Battle Despite Court Setback: ‘This Fight Is Necessary'
In their first interview since a South Korean court blocked their attempt to leave record label Ador, K-pop phenomenon NewJeans told the BBC they will continue to fight despite the setback. 'This fight is necessary. Although it will be extremely difficult and arduous, we will keep doing what we have done so far and speak up,' said Haerin, one of the group's five members. More from Variety BTS Japanese Fan Summoned by South Korean Police for Kissing Jin Without Consent K-Pop Girl Group Hearts2Hearts Launched by SM Entertainment With Debut Single K-Pop Girl Group AtHeart Full Lineup Unveiled as Titan Content Sets Partnership With Imperial Music The court ruling, which ordered NewJeans — made up of Haerin, Hanni, Minji, Danielle and Hyein — to cease all 'independent' activities while their case against Ador is ongoing, came as a 'shock' to the group, who learned of the decision while rehearsing for a performance in Hong Kong. 'Some people think that we're famous enough to do whatever we want and say whatever we please. But the truth is, it's not like that at all,' Hyein told the BBC. 'We held it in for a long time, and only now have we finally spoken up about what we think, what we feel and the unfairness we've experienced.' In a statement to the BBC, Ador maintained that the contract with NewJeans remains valid, suggesting that 'most of their claims have risen from misunderstandings.' The court sided with Ador, stating that NewJeans did not 'sufficiently prove' contract violations and that the label had fulfilled 'most of its duties.' Despite the court order, NewJeans performed their new single 'Pit Stop' under their rebranded name 'NJZ' at their Hong Kong concert, which culminated in a tearful announcement of their hiatus. Since their 2022 debut, NewJeans has achieved remarkable success, becoming the eighth biggest-selling act in the world within just a year. The group's dispute with Ador intensified after Min Hee-jin, their mentor and Ador's former CEO, engaged in a public feud with parent company HYBE, which culminated in Min's departure from the label. As the legal battle continues, with hearings set to begin next week, NewJeans remains steadfast in their unity. 'We've always said to each other, if one person doesn't want to do it, then we're not going to do it. It has to be all five of us that agrees to do it,' Hanni told the BBC. While the length of their hiatus remains uncertain, with Ador expressing hope to meet with the group soon, NewJeans insists they don't feel protected enough to return to the label. Despite the challenges ahead, the members remain determined, with Hanni affirming, 'We're gonna get through it.' Best of Variety The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Oscars 2026: First Blind Predictions Including Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, 'Wicked: For Good' and More
Muscat Daily
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
NewJeans announce temporary break following court ruling
South Korean K-pop group pauses activities after legal dispute with record label Hong Kong, China– South Korean K-pop sensation NewJeans has announced they will be taking a break from all activities following a recent court ruling that went against them in their ongoing legal dispute with their record label, Ador. During their performance at ComplexCon Hong Kong on Sunday, the five-member group – Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Heyin – revealed that the show would mark 'our last performance for a little while' as they debuted their new track 'Pit Stop.' The court ruling, issued on Friday, forbade NewJeans from organising their own performances, releasing new music, or signing advertising deals while the dispute with Ador is ongoing. The band has been seeking to sever ties with the label after accusing them of mistreatment, including allegations of workplace harassment. 'Difficult but necessary decision' In an emotional address to their fans, the group shared a message in both English and Korean, explaining the decision to halt their activities. 'It wasn't an easy decision,' Hanni and Dani said. 'But we believe this is something we need to do at this moment.' They expressed that the move was necessary 'to protect ourselves so that we can come back even stronger.' The group also reaffirmed their stance on standing up for their rights, dignity, and the values they hold dear. Ador responds to the controversy In response to the group's decision, Ador released a statement on Monday expressing regret over NewJeans' performance under a new name, NJZ, and their unilateral announcement of a break from activities. 'Ador is fully committed to supporting NewJeans, consistent with the terms of our legally valid exclusive contract,' the label said. 'We hope to meet with the artists as soon as possible to discuss the path forward.' A lengthy legal battle NewJeans and Ador have been locked in a dispute since August 2024, with the group accusing the label of undermining their career and mistreating them. Hanni previously alleged workplace harassment while working with Ador. However, the Seoul court ruled that NewJeans' claims were insufficient to prove that Ador had breached their contractual obligations, including payment. The ruling has complicated the group's plans to rebrand under their new name, NJZ, as they now face potential financial penalties for breach of contract if they proceed with independent activities. NewJeans: A rising global star NewJeans has quickly become one of the most successful new acts in the K-pop industry, recognised for their unique blend of 1990s R&B and upbeat pop melodies. In 2023, they ranked as the eighth biggest-selling act in the world, and were nominated for Best Group at the MTV Awards. Their break from activities marks a significant moment in their career, as they navigate the ongoing dispute with Ador.
NBC News
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
K-pop band NewJeans announces hiatus after legal setback with record label
HONG KONG — K-pop girl group NewJeans has announced a pause on all activities days after a South Korean court ruled against its five members in a long-running dispute with record label Ador. The band, one of the top-selling acts in the world, said Sunday night during a show in Hong Kong that it might be their 'last performance for a little while,' sending shock waves through the audience. Last year, NewJeans announced a split from Ador after accusing the label of 'mistreatment,' including 'deliberate miscommunications' and workplace harassment. The band members also renamed themselves NJZ and began to organize their own activities. Ador, a subsidiary of Hybe, the South Korean entertainment giant behind the global K-pop sensation BTS, denied the allegations and filed an injunction in January to assert its position as the group's management agency. On Friday, the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of Ador, upholding an injunction against NewJeans carrying out independent performances or solo commercial activities. The group said it respected the court decision but would challenge it. In their first public appearance since the ruling, NewJeans — performing as NJZ — debuted a new song called 'Pit Stop' on Sunday night in front of a crowd of more than 11,000 fans at the ComplexCon Hong Kong festival. But the fans' excitement didn't last long, with the group making a shocking announcement. 'Out of respect for the court's decision, we've decided to pause all our activities for now,' said member Pham Ngoc Han, who goes by Hanni. One after another, the five members — Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein — read a letter in both English and Korean to their fans at AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong's largest live music venue. The pause wasn't 'an easy decision, but we believe this is something we need to do at this moment,' the group said. 'But that doesn't mean we're going to give up. We're going to keep going,' they said. Despite the court ruling, they said they did not regret the choice to break from Ador 'at all' and that they had to 'speak up to protect the values' that they believe in. The group thanked fans for their support and promised to come back 'no matter what the circumstances.' In response, Ador expressed 'regret' over NewJeans' decision to perform under a new name and 'unilaterally' declare a suspension of activities. 'We will do our best for NewJeans in accordance with our valid exclusive contract. We hope to meet with the artist as soon as possible to discuss the future,' Ador said in a statement Monday, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency. The label previously said the contract was valid until July 2029. NBC News has reached out to Ador's parent company Hybe for comment. NewJeans' dispute with Ador began in August 2024 when Ador replaced Min Hee-jin, the group's executive producer and mentor, with an HR specialist. After failing to secure Min's reinstatement, the group announced that they would terminate their contracts and leave Ador. Hanni, a member of the girl group, accused Hybe of deliberately undermining the band in testimony before South Korean lawmakers last year. NewJeans debuted in 2022 and is known for songs combining pop and R&B music. The group was named 'one of the most recognized and most influential groups in pop' by Billboard in 2023. It also broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest K-pop act to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify, surpassing K-pop veterans BTS and Blackpink.
