NewJeans vs HYBE’s ADOR: the legal showdown goes on

The showdown between NewJeans and their agency, HYBE’s ADOR, is officially heading to court. After months of disputes over contracts and advertising deals, the first hearing is set for March 7, 2025, with a second round scheduled for April 3.

The K-pop quintet first announced the termination of their contract without the company’s legal agreement. After that, ADOR filed an injunction in January to prevent NewJeans from signing brand deals independently. The company also slammed the group’s attempts to change their name, calling it a “severe breach of contract.”

Meanwhile, the members—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—have accused ADOR of mistreatment and contractual violations, fueling their push for legal independence from the company. This case has sparked discussions on artist freedom and agency control, with HYBE’s ADOR warning that the group can’t walk away from contracts at will. As a seeming response, NewJeans decided to launch their independent Instagram account @jeanzforfree in December 2024 and asked fans to help them choose a new group name.

And just like that, the showdown between HYBE’s ADOR and NewJeans goes on.