a complete timeline of occasions

The continued feud between South Korean leisure large HYBE, its subsidiary label ADOR and Ok-pop lady group NewJeans has emerged as one of the crucial excessive profile feuds we’ve witnessed in Ok-pop in latest reminiscence.

ADOR, which homes in style Ok-pop lady group NewJeans, is helmed by former SM Leisure artistic director Min Hee-jin and was as soon as poised to develop into one in every of HYBE’s most profitable labels. Nonetheless, it’s now on the centre of an alleged energy battle over the remedy and administration of NewJeans and future artistic initiatives below ADOR.

Based in November 2021, Min Hee-jin launched the label after two years as HYBE’s Chief Model Officer. What started as a battle over management over administration and artistic course of ADOR and NewJeans has turned, over the course of the previous 12 months, right into a heated tug-of-war between the leisure large and the band themselves over their inventive autonomy and employee’s rights.

The futures of NewJeans have develop into more and more unclear amid the feud. Though many blanks have but to be crammed within the overarching battle, under is a full timeline of occasions which have occurred since all events have taken their dispute to the general public area.

April 22, 2024 – HYBE launches inside audit of ADOR

The primary indicators of an influence battle between HYBE and its subsidiary Ok-pop company ADOR, house to NewJeans, first emerged on April 22, when South Korean media reported that the audit group of leisure large HYBE had launched an investigation into ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin and an unnamed government of the corporate.

HYBE later confirmed that it did launch an audit into ADOR executives over a suspicion that they had been making an attempt to take management of the Ok-pop company, nevertheless no particular employees members had been named in HYBE’s affirmation. Following the information, the inventory value of HYBE started to drop.

April 22, 2024 – ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin accuses HYBE of “undermining” NewJeans’ success

Shortly after the information of HYBE’s audit into ADOR broke, CEO Min Hee-jin issued a press release accusing HYBE of “undermining” NewJeans’ success. She claimed HYBE had copied the “make-up, costumes, choreography, images, movies and occasion appearances” of NewJeans for its newest lady group ILLIT, who debuted below separate subsidiary Belift Lab in late March.

Min additionally claimed that she had filed an official criticism over what she described was a “copycat difficulty”, claiming that each HYBE and Belift Lab “refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing, merely arising with a string of excuses and delaying concrete responses”. In the identical assertion, she additionally refuted HYBE’s allegations about her making an attempt to take management of the corporate.

“I can not perceive how professional actions aimed toward preserving the cultural achievements of affiliated artists like NewJeans are being twisted into conduct in opposition to ADOR’s pursuits or makes an attempt to usurp its administration rights,” she wrote.

April 24, 2024 – HYBE CEO Park Ji-won claims to have found proof of Min and different executives “making an attempt to grab management” of ADOR

Yonhap Information Company reported that Park had despatched a company-wide e mail stating that proof of ADOR executives’ makes an attempt at “seizing management” of the label has been discovered, including that he’ll “take acceptable actions after confirming extra [of the truth] by means of this audit”. In the identical e mail, Park additionally claimed that the alleged takeover plans had been “set in movement lengthy earlier than ILLIT made their debut”.

April 24, 2024 – Min Hee-jin and ADOR executives deny claims of a takeover

Min Hee-jin informed a separate South Korean information outlet in an interview, per CNA, that she has by no means “met with any investor to take over administration rights of ADOR”. She additionally alleged that it could be “not possible” for her to take action “with out consent” from HYBE, as she solely owns 18 per cent of the corporate, with different firm executives holding 2 per cent and HYBE proudly owning 80 per cent of ADOR. She additionally revealed that she was “out of the blue notified of my dismissal” after elevating issues of similarities between ILLIT and NewJeans.

An nameless deputy CEO of ADOR additionally claimed in another interview with Yonhap News Agency that the alleged proof HYBE uncovered had been nothing greater than “private reflections” concerning the “long-standing conflicts between HYBE and ADOR”. Additionally they claimed that the paperwork containing the alleged proof “haven’t been mentioned with Min and different ADOR executives”.

April 25, 2024 – Min Hee-jin holds press convention to disclaim claims made in opposition to her by HYBE

Throughout the press convention, Min informed Korean press that she “was not anticipating” the audit, as a substitute claiming that she had initially made an “inside report [about the similarities between NewJeans and Belift Lab group ILLIT]” in hopes of it being “addressed formally by the corporate”.

Min additionally claimed that the conversations introduced up by HYBE as proof of her alleged plans to take over ADOR had been “rid of the context of the place they got here from”. Her authorized counsel additionally informed press that “there was no incident the place Min tried to decrease the corporate worth” and that “you can not ‘plot’ to breach the belief. This simply doesn’t depend as that”.

Throughout the convention, Min additionally shared how she believes the corporate “used me to the fullest and now desires to take me down as a result of I don’t take heed to them”. She additionally stated that HYBE founder Bang Si-hyuk “wouldn’t let me [establish ADOR and launch NewJeans] until the corporate held a 100 per cent stake”, however that she allegedly relented as a result of “a battle would’ve taken months”.

Min additionally informed press that members of the HYBE group had informed her “to not promote NewJeans earlier than LE SSERAFIM‘s debut, as a result of they needed individuals to assume that LE SSERAFIM was Min Hee-jin’s lady group”.

“They by no means let me promote NewJeans as the primary lady group from Min Hee-jin as a result of they deliberately needed to confuse individuals,” the ADOR CEO claimed. “That was all Bang Si-hyuk’s doing.”

Based on The Korea Herald, HYBE claimed that Min had “manipulated the reality” throughout the convention and have requested for her to resign as CEO of ADOR.

April 26, 2024 – HYBE refutes Min Hee-jin’s press convention claims

A day after Min’s two-hour press convention, HYBE issued a press release refuting her claims, alleging that “a lot [of what Min claimed during the press conference] is way from the reality to the purpose that it’s tough to undergo them one after the other”.

HYBE claimed that Min had “distorted the details by mixing up the timeline”, whereas claiming that they “can refute all claims with proof”. Nonetheless, HYBE additionally said that it has “determined to not point out them one after the other as we decide that they aren’t price responding to”. HYBE additionally urged Min to “resign promptly for the correct administration of ADOR as she has already confirmed herself unfit to be answerable for administration”.

Could 2, 2024 – Min Hee-jin had reportedly “demanded” that HYBE give her the authority to “terminate” NewJeans’ contracts

Yonhap Information Company cited unnamed trade insiders in a report that Min had allegedly “demanded” the authority to “terminate” NewJeans’ unique contracts with the corporate. Based on the outlet, Min allegedly made the request after negotiations between the executives of the Ok-pop company and its proprietor HYBE over a revised shareholders settlement had hit a roadblock across the tail-end of 2023. Nonetheless, HYBE rejected her request, calling it “an excessive amount of”.

Min has since confirmed that the “request” was submitted in a proposal to HYBE, nevertheless claimed that it was to “deal with unreasonable interference [by HYBE], a problem that emerged throughout NewJeans’ debut, and to make sure impartial administration of the label” in a press release. She additionally denied that this request was associated to allegations of a takeover levied in opposition to her by HYBE.

Could 7, 2024 – HYBE requests an shareholders’ assembly to fireplace Min Hee-jin

“HYBE has requested a unprecedented shareholders’ assembly to fireplace Min Hee-jin, CEO and board member of ADOR, which is a violation of the shareholders’ contract between Min and HYBE,” Min’s authorized consultant informed press, per Korea JoongAng Each day. HYBE owns 80 per cent of ADOR, whereas Min owns 18 per cent.

Could 9, 2024 – Min Hee-jin information injunction to cease HYBE shareholder assembly

“Min Hee-jin contends that HYBE’s argument relating to breach of belief by Min is not sensible, which is why she resulted in submitting for the injunction so as to shield the company worth of ADOR and its artists,” the consultant added, per Korea JoongAng Daily. In the meantime, Yongsan police informed the outlet that  it is going to “conduct a speedy and thorough investigation” on Min. 

Could 13, 2024 – NewJeans’ dad and mom allegedly converse out in new letter, HYBE responds

The letter was revealed by way of South Korean information outlet eDaily, allegedly written by the dad and mom of NewJeans’ members. It was reportedly first despatched to Min Hee-jin on March 31, who later shared it with HYBE on April 3, earlier than the feud between ADOR and HYBE was made public and solely every week after ILLIT had formally debuted.

“We specific deep concern over the controversy that has risen with many similarities in idea […] between NewJeans and a gaggle that debuted below one other label of HYBE,” the letter reads, as translated by Soompi. “It’s deeply regrettable that one other label below the identical father or mother firm might plan a group that’s deliberately harking back to NewJeans.”

“If these conditions proceed, this can undoubtedly harm NewJeans’s fame and model worth,” NewJeans’ dad and mom alleged, whereas claiming that the members of the lady group are “experiencing extreme psychological misery on this course of”.

Within the letter, NewJeans’ dad and mom additionally claimed that HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk would “ignore the NewJeans members and their greetings at any time when he bumped into them on the firm”, alleging that “this occurred on a number of events”.

Shortly after the letter was publicised, HYBE responded via a statement to a separate outlet claiming that the real authors of the letter are Min and an unnamed vice president from ADOR. The music large additionally denied a number of allegations within the letter, together with claims of plagiarism and neglect.

HYBE additionally claimed that Min “drag[ged] in artists and their households in her personal battles for her private greed” by allegedly doctoring the letter, whereas claiming that it has proof the e-mail was “a part of the plan for the takeover of administration rights [of ADOR by Min]”. “We plan to submit this proof to investigative and judicial authorities,” HYBE additionally stated in response.

Could 23, 2024 – Belift Lab sues Min Hee-jin for defamation over plagiarism claims

Belift Lab, the HYBE subsidiary ILLIT is housed below, filed a defamation criticism in opposition to Min Hee-jin over her claims that ILLIT had plagiarised NewJeans. “We filed a criticism in opposition to CEO Min for making false claims unilaterally in opposition to our firm and artists and inflicting harm,” Belift Lab stated in a press release. “We make it clear that the plagiarism allegations raised by Min in opposition to our artist ILLIT should not true.”

“We now have submitted proof to the judicial authorities that may show the accusations are unfounded, and though it might take a while, we’ll resolve this difficulty by means of correct authorized procedures,” the Ok-pop company added.

Could 30, 2024 – Courtroom grants Min Hee-jin injunction in opposition to HYBE

The Seoul Central District Courtroom dominated in favour of Min Hee-jin following her submitting of an injunction to cease HYBE from exercising their voting rights and dismissing her from her present place as CEO of ADOR.

“The explanations for Min Hee-jin’s dismissal or resignation claimed by HYBE haven’t been sufficiently substantiated,” the courtroom stated of its choice. “Whereas Min Hee-jin’s actions could also be thought of betrayal to HYBE, it’s tough to say that they represent actions of breach of belief with regard to ADOR.”

In response to the courtroom’s choice, HYBE stated it “respects the courtroom’s choice” and “is not going to train voting rights […] on the upcoming extraordinary assembly of shareholders”. The corporate additionally shared that it has “plans to proceed with subsequent steps inside the boundaries set by the legislation”.

Could 31, 2024 – Min Hee-jin retains her function as ADOR CEO, two “shut aides” dismissed

The scheduled extraordinary shareholders’ assembly held on Could 31 decided that Min Hee-jin will preserve her place as ADOR CEO, nevertheless two of her “shut aides” – solely recognized as Shin and Kim – had been dismissed and changed by three C-suite government officers from HYBE. Yonhap Information Company famous that this choice would offer HYBE extra “management” of the board.

Could 31, 2024 – Min Hee-jin holds second press convention to handle NewJeans’ and ADOR’s future

The second press convention held by Min Hee-jin occurred the day of the shareholders’ assembly, throughout which she addressed her present relationship with HYBE and the way forward for the subsidiary label and its artists.

Min informed press that plans for upcoming NewJeans actions have been “all thrown up within the air due to the continued month-long battle”. Notably, previous to the feud, the lady group had introduced a number of new music releases, in addition to a world tour for 2025.

“My foremost aim is to hold out the plans as I needed with no issues. And now, since HYBE is now listening to my facet, I hope that we will amicably settle,” she added. “If I don’t do that, and NewJeans has to take depart till our organisational issues settle, who does that profit?”

Min additionally added that “what might be accomplished sooner or later stays to be seen” at this present juncture. “But when HYBE desires to develop ADOR and its imaginative and prescient for NewJeans, then they would want to debate that with me,” she continued.

July 15, 2024 – Supply Music information US$360,000 lawsuit in opposition to Min Hee-jin

Fellow HYBE subsidiary Supply Music – house to LE SSERAFIM – filed a lawsuit in opposition to Min, searching for KRW500million (roughly US$360,000) in damages for defamation and interfering with enterprise.

In a press release to Billboard, Supply Music said: “The label’s accusations primarily embrace three complaints: (A) Min claimed that she personally chosen the members of NewJeans as trainees (B) Min claimed that the corporate unilaterally broke its promise to debut NewJeans as HYBE’s first lady group and (C) Min claimed Supply Music uncared for the members of NewJeans.”

August 27, 2024 – Min Hee-jin steps down as CEO of ADOR, which she claims was not her alternative

ADOR introduced throughout a board assembly that Min Hee-jin would step down from her function as CEO, concurrently saying that Kim Ju-young, director of the board, would assume the place of CEO following Min’s departure. Regardless of her resignation from the function, ADOR wrote that she stays on the corporate’s board of administrators and would proceed to provide for NewJeans.

ADOR stated that Min being in change of each the administration of the label in addition to the manufacturing of NewJeans was “the one exception amongst all of the HYBE labels”. It added that it guarantees to “present the very best assist for the success of NewJeans with this variation in construction”, per Korea JoongAng Daily.

Two hours after ADOR’s announcement, Min herself claimed in a new statement that her transfer to step down was not fabricated from her personal volition. “The board made the choice whatever the CEO’s needs,” she stated, calling the transfer “a grave violation of the shareholders’ contract”.

After Min’s assertion, ADOR addressed her claims in a second assertion on the identical day, saying that the board assembly was “held in response to the legislation”. “The date was chosen out of the checklist that Min Hee-jin gave. Min took half within the assembly on-line and the board made the optimum choice for the way forward for ADOR and NewJeans,” it wrote.

August 30, 2024 – Min Hee-jin rejects “unreasonable” momentary contract to provide for NewJeans

Min revealed a press release saying her rejection of HYBE’s supply to proceed producing for NewJeans, calling the phrases of the contract “unreasonable” and “a trick” designed to power her rejection of it.

Based on Min, the contract would have her retained to provide for the lady group from August 27 to November 1, which she claimed was “unrealistic” given HYBE’s purported “count on[ations of] the profitable completion of essential manufacturing duties, resembling making ready for NewJeans’ world tour in 2025”.

She additionally claimed that it included clauses that may enable the corporate to right away terminate the settlement if “her work efficiency was deemed inadequate or if the corporate’s enterprise circumstances modified”.

In response ADOR launched a press release on the identical day, claiming that the brand new two-month contract was meant to cowl the rest of her contract, which expires on November 1.

September 2, 2024 – NewJeans specific frustration over ADOR-HYBE feud on social media

NewJeans members Danielle, Minji and Hanni uploaded a number of posts to fan group app Phoning to specific their frustration over the continued managerial modifications inside ADOR.

Danielle wrote that she had “quite a lot of issues” since Min Hee-jin was dismissed as CEO of ADOR. “It’s been tough in some ways […] For some time, I used to be in a state of psychological breakdown and really anxious,” she added.

In the meantime, Minji stated that she needed to “consolation” them regardless of her frustration that “nothing has been solved” concerning the state of affairs. “I used to be so pissed off with myself for not having the ability to clear up something. I’m so sorry that we’re going by means of this pointless bother when there’s already not sufficient time within the day to give attention to the nice issues,” she wrote.

Hanni, regardless of not talking instantly concerning the state of affairs, did contact on Min Hee-jin’s dismissal. “I used to be initially simply practising writing songs and lyrics with my guitar, however Bunnies… our members… our CEO [Min Hee-jin]… I’m additionally struggling right now, however I needed to consolation everybody and eliminate all my heartache.”

September 4, 2024 – NewJeans voice assist for Min Hee-jin at awards ceremony

Throughout their look at The Truth Music Awards in Osaka, NewJeans gave a shout-out to Min Hee-jin throughout their award acceptance speech. “We actually love and thank [former] CEO Min Hee-jin who at all times cherishes and protects us,” member Danielle stated.

Hyein additionally added that she “need[ed] to say it yet another time as a result of it is likely to be the final likelihood”, telling the viewers that the group are “actually, actually grateful to our CEO”. “We love you a lot,” she concluded.

September 11, 2024 – NewJeans host livestream to name for Min Hee-jin’s reinstatement as CEO, calls HYBE an “inhumane firm”

All 5 members of NewJeans held a shock livestream on a now-deleted YouTube channel, the place they spoke on the continued ADOR-HYBE feud and referred to as for HYBE to reinstate Min Hee-jin again to her unique place as ADOR’s CEO. Based on Hyein, the livestream was held with out the corporate’s information however organised with the assistance of “administrators that we trusted on issues we couldn’t put together ourselves”.

“We hope that HYBE makes the sensible option to reinstate Min Hee-jin because the CEO of ADOR by September 25,” stated Minji. “The ADOR that we would like is an ADOR the place the music manufacturing and firm administration are accomplished by Min Hee-jin because the CEO. We make this request as the best way to cohabitate peacefully with HYBE.”

The lady group additionally claimed that HYBE have been “bullying” Min, saying that they “really feel so dangerous” for the music government. “HYBE simply looks as if an inhumane firm. What are we speculated to be taught from such an organization?” stated Danielle. The band additionally opened up about disagreeable experiences with different employees inside HYBE since Min’s dismissal.

September 13, 2024 – Min Hee-jin information injunction for shareholder’s assembly to reappoint her as inside ADOR director

Min and her representatives shared a press release saying that they’d filed for a courtroom injunction for an “extraordinary basic assembly of shareholders to reappoint Min Hee-jin as an inside director of ADOR with the Seoul Central District Courtroom”.

Based on the assertion, below the shareholders’ settlement, Min was assured a five-year time period as ADOR’s CEO and an inside director of the ADOR board of administrators. Regardless of the courtroom’s recognition of this, Min claimed she was “unilaterally dismissed” by HYBE regardless.

“This can be a direct violation of the still-valid shareholders’ settlement and the courtroom’s injunction choice to ensure the CEO’s time period,” the assertion learn. Min’s illustration alleged that HYBE continues to say that her settlement has been terminated “with none foundation though there are lower than two months left on [Min’s] time period as an inside director”.

HYBE responded to Min’s assertion on the identical day, claiming once more that the shareholder settlement between HYBE and Min has formally been terminated. “A lawsuit has been filed to verify the termination of the shareholder settlement, and we’re awaiting the courtroom’s choice,” it wrote.

October 29, 2024 – Injunction dismissed by Seoul courtroom
On October 29, the Seoul Central District Courtroom introduced their dismissal of her injunction, saying Min’s claims “don’t meet the necessities to represent the authorized grounds for a courtroom judgement”.

September 25, 2024 – Min Hee-jin reinstated as an inside director, request to return as CEO rejected

Min’s request to be re-appointed because the label’s CEO was rejected by ADOR. Nonetheless, the corporate had supplied her a place as an inside director, giving her a seat on the corporate’s board. Underneath the circumstances of the supply, Min would be capable to produce for NewJeans for the subsequent 5 years, which ADOR identified was “the entire period of the lady group’s contract”.

October 17, 2024 – Min’s time period prolonged for 3 extra years
ADOR introduced on October 17 that the music government’s time period as a board member was prolonged for a further three years by means of a board assembly. Her stint as an inside director with ADOR was initially attributable to expire on November 1.

October 15, 2024 – NewJeans’ Hanni shares testimonies of harassment confronted at HYBE at Nationwide Meeting

The Vietnamese-Australian singer was invited to the Nationwide Meeting to talk earlier than the South Korean Labour Committee on office harassment she’s confronted at HYBE.

Hanni claimed that, when she greeted the members of one other band on the places of work of their file label, a supervisor informed them to “ignore her such as you didn’t see her,” and that her issues had been disregarded when she introduced them up.

Different allegations she made had been that staff had been bad-mouthing NewJeans on the communications app Blind, and that HYBE’s PR division had requested a journalist to downplay the group’s achievement – these had bolstered her emotions that “the corporate hated us”.

November 28, 2024 – ADOR calls for public apology from Belift Lab
Though neither a selected group nor firm had been talked about in Hanni’s claims, ADOR issued a press release demanding a public apology from fellow HYBE subsidiary Belift Lab (house to ENHYPEN and ILLIT) to Hanni for the incident. Belift Lab beforehand denied these allegations.

“Belift Lab’s claims differ utterly from Hanni’s account,” it continued, though conceding that it was “unfair” and “unnecessarily harsh” to count on the singer to recount the incident intimately. “We absolutely belief our artist’s phrases and deeply remorse the hurt Hanni has skilled.”

November 14, 2024 – NewJeans allegedly threaten to depart ADOR if “grave contract breaches” weren’t rectified

The Korea Occasions first reported the issuance of NewJeans’ authorized discover to ADOR, which allegedly consists of the five-piece’s calls for to “rectify all grave breaches of the unique contracts inside 14 days of receipt”. NewJeans wrote within the letter that they “plan to revoke our unique contracts” with ADOR if these unspecified breaches stay unaddressed by the corporate.

November 20, 2024 – Min Hee-jin resigns from inside director place

“At present, I’m resigning from my place as an inside director at ADOR,” the Ok-pop company’s former CEO wrote in her assertion. “Moreover, I’m terminating the shareholder settlement with HYBE and intend to carry HYBE legally accountable for breaches of this settlement.”

Min wrote that she had “accomplished all the things in my energy to uphold the shareholder settlement and restore ADOR”, nevertheless, she ultimately concluded that additional efforts to work with HYBE “could be a waste of time”. Following her resignation, Min stated she intends to pursue “essential authorized motion” in opposition to the “quite a few unlawful actions dedicated by HYBE and its associates”.

November 20, 2024 – NewJean’s claims of office harassment dismissed by South Korean Labour Ministry

The South Korean Labour Ministry introduced the dismissal of a case by NewJeans followers, filed on behalf of the group concerning the office harassment confronted at HYBE, primarily based on claims made by Hanni at her Nationwide Meeting testimony in October.

The Ministry claimed that “the content material and nature of the administration contract signed by Hanni” was what made her – and Ok-pop idols, by extension – ineligible to be legally categorized as “staff” below present labour legal guidelines within the nation.

The South Korean authorities as a substitute classify entertainers as “distinctive entities” as a substitute of staff in an employer-employee relationship, as they function below unique, commission-based contracts with administration labels.

November 27, 2024 – ‘NewJeans Hanni act’ launched at Nationwide Meeting to forestall office bullying
South Korean politician Jeong Hye-kyung, member of the Progressive Celebration, proposed a brand new invoice to amend present labour legal guidelines to increase authorized safety and preventative measures in opposition to office harassment to distinctive entities.

Briefly named the ‘NewJeans Hanni act’, Jeong stated that everybody is entitled to safety “no matter revenue, employment relationship, or contractual relationship.”

The brand new invoice establishes new and particular provisions for each labour suppliers and entertainers by means of necessary laws for employers. It additionally introduces penalties for people who fail to stick to the laws. The modification has not but been handed as of writing.

November 26, 2024 – Min Hee-jin information felony complaints in opposition to two HYBE PR executives

Min filed felony complaints in opposition to two executives – named within the criticism are HYBE’s Chief Communications Officer Park Tae-hee and a PR director solely recognized as Cho.

Min’s representatives claimed that they “not solely did not fulfil their obligations however induced important harm to NewJeans and ADOR by downplaying the group’s achievements”. They added that they hope “acceptable felony penalties” might be imposed.

November 28, 2024 – NewJeans terminate contracts with ADOR in emergency press convention

NewJeans held an emergency press convention on November 28, the place they introduced the termination of their unique contracts with the label.

They claimed that their authorized discover to ADOR had been ignored for the total grace interval of 14 days, and ADOR’s alleged breaches of contract obligations had not been resolved by then.

“[ADOR is] an organization that not has any sincerity within the artwork of music that’s created, is fairly fixated on showing like a well-working firm regardless of solely having ideas about earning money, and doesn’t have any conscience concerning the unfavourable impact they create by means of their non-authentic means,” Hanni informed press, per Music Business Worldwide.

Danielle additionally stated that, whereas the group could not be capable to preserve the trademark rights to the NewJeans title and model, it “doesn’t imply that we’re giving up on the title in any respect”. She said: “We are going to proceed to battle for NewJeans. No matter our title, simply do not forget that NewJeans by no means dies.”

Relating to penalties for contract termination, Haerin claimed that it “is not sensible” for NewJeans to be liable to pay a contract breach payment. “We by no means broke any guidelines,” Haerin stated. “We did nothing however attempt our greatest – they’re those at fault. HYBE and ADOR are those accountable.”

After the press convention, NewJeans publicised a doc from ADOR addressing their authorized discover, allegedly despatched to them an hour after the convention was referred to as.

November 28, 2024 – ADOR refutes NewJeans’ press convention statements, claims contract “stays in full impact”

Shortly after NewJeans’ press convention, ADOR revealed a press release refuting the statements made by the band. It claimed the convention was “deliberate and carried out with out adequate evaluate, previous to receiving a response to the authorized discover”.

It additionally maintained that ADOR “has not violated the phrases of the settlement” and {that a} “unilateral declare of a breach of belief doesn’t represent legitimate grounds for terminating the contract”.

Moreover, the label requested that NewJeans proceed cooperating with them shifting ahead, writing that the “unique settlement between ADOR and the NewJeans members stays in full impact”.

December 2, 2024 – Min Hee-jin denies involvement in NewJeans’ contract termination

Min sued former HYBE CEO Park Ji-won and PR chief Park Tae-hee for violating South Korean communications legal guidelines, whereas additionally submitting a lawsuit in opposition to two Dispatch reporters for defamation. The announcement got here shortly after Dispatch revealed an article accusing Min of being a “hidden hand” behind NewJeans’ public pushback in opposition to HYBE.

“Kim and Park, even as we speak, wrote an article that’s removed from the reality. They wrote the article primarily based on a one-sided story with out verifying the details,” Min’s attorneys wrote within the press assertion. “We hope the police report will uncover their severe lies and that they’re held liable.”

December 4, 2024 –  ADOR information lawsuit to confirm NewJeans’ contract validity

ADOR filed the lawsuit on December 4 with the Seoul Central District Courtroom to verify the validity of its contracts with NewJeans, telling press in a press release that it felt it was “essential” so as to “guarantee its continued authorized enforcement”.

ADOR claimed that NewJeans’ actions “would significantly hinder the continued improvement of Ok-pop”. The corporate additionally shared that it has “but to have the chance for direct communication with the artist,” though they’ve reassured that they continue to be “dedicated” to collaborating with NewJeans.

December 6, 2024 –  NewJeans reiterate their proper to terminate contracts, declare ADOR “severely harassed” NewJeans group post-departure

NewJeans revealed a response to ADOR’s lawsuit on December 6, the place they reiterated their proper to terminate their contracts with the corporate. They identified that “ADOR did not correctly assert that there have been no breaches of the unique contracts” of their lawsuit announcement, and that they’ve accomplished their due diligence to “return earnings exceeding the funding to ADOR and HYBE”.

Regardless of this, NewJeans accused HYBE of “try[ing] numerous types of interference, together with defamation and reverse viral advertising, to devalue us”, including that the label “allowed this to occur below new administration”.

The band additionally accused ADOR of “secretly following us, defaming us, and spreading false data by means of media retailers”, on high of “severely harass[ing]” and investigating employees who assisted NewJeans of their actions submit ADOR departure.