HYBE-ADOR feud: a comprehensive timeline of events

The ongoing feud between South Korean entertainment giant HYBE and its subsidiary label ADOR has emerged as one of the most high profile feuds we’ve witnessed in K-pop in recent memory.

• READ MORE: aespa – ‘Armageddon’ review: the girl group shine brightest at their most experimental

ADOR, which houses popular K-pop girl group NewJeans, is helmed by former SM Entertainment creative director Min Hee-jin and was once poised to become one of HYBE’s most lucrative labels. However, it is now at the centre of an alleged power struggle over the treatment and management of NewJeans and future creative projects under ADOR.

Founded in November 2021, Min Hee-jin launched the label after two years as HYBE’s Chief Brand Officer. The futures of both ADOR and NewJeans remains unclear as the label and its parent company continue to vie for control and autonomy over management and creative direction of the label and NewJeans.

Although many blanks have yet to be filled in the overarching battle, below is a full timeline of events that have occurred since both parties have taken their dispute to the public arena.

April 22, 2024 – HYBE launches internal audit of ADOR

The first signs of a power struggle between HYBE and its subsidiary K-pop agency ADOR, home to NewJeans, first emerged on April 22, when South Korean media reported that the audit team of entertainment giant HYBE had launched an investigation into ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin and an unnamed executive of the company.

HYBE later confirmed that it did launch an audit into ADOR executives over a suspicion that they were trying to take control of the K-pop agency, however no specific staff members were named in HYBE’s confirmation. Following the news, the stock price of HYBE began to drop.

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

Shortly after the news of HYBE’s audit into ADOR broke, CEO Min Hee-jin issued a statement accusing HYBE of “undermining” NewJeans’ success. She claimed HYBE had copied the “makeup, costumes, choreography, photos, videos and event appearances” of NewJeans for its latest girl group ILLIT, who debuted under separate subsidiary Belift Lab in late March.

Min also claimed that she had filed an official complaint over what she described was a “copycat issue”, claiming that both HYBE and Belift Lab “refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing, merely coming up with a string of excuses and delaying concrete responses”. In the same statement, she also refuted HYBE’s allegations about her trying to take control of the company.

“I cannot understand how legitimate actions aimed at preserving the cultural achievements of affiliated artists like NewJeans are being twisted into conduct against ADOR’s interests or attempts to usurp its management rights,” she wrote.

April 24, 2024 – HYBE CEO Park Ji-won claims to have discovered evidence of Min and other executives “trying to seize control” of ADOR

Yonhap News Agency reported that Park had sent a company-wide email stating that evidence of ADOR executives’ attempts at “seizing control” of the label has been found, adding that he will “take appropriate actions after confirming more [of the truth] through this audit”. In the same email, Park also claimed that the alleged takeover plans were “set in motion long before ILLIT made their debut”.

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

Min Hee-jin told a separate South Korean news outlet in an interview, per CNA, that she has never “met with any investor to take over management rights of ADOR”. She also alleged that it would be “impossible” for her to do so “without consent” from HYBE, as she only owns 18 per cent of the company, with other company executives holding 2 per cent and HYBE owning 80 per cent of ADOR. She also revealed that she was “suddenly notified of my dismissal” after raising concerns of similarities between ILLIT and NewJeans.

An anonymous deputy CEO of ADOR also claimed in another interview with Yonhap News Agency that the alleged evidence HYBE uncovered were nothing more than “personal reflections” about the “long-standing conflicts between HYBE and ADOR”. They also claimed that the documents containing the alleged evidence “have not been discussed with Min and other ADOR executives”.

April 25, 2024 – Min Hee-jin holds press conference to deny claims made against her by HYBE

During the press conference, Min told Korean press that she “was not expecting” the audit, instead claiming that she had initially made an “internal report [about the similarities between NewJeans and Belift Lab group ILLIT]” in hopes of it being “addressed formally by the company”.

Min also claimed that the conversations brought up by HYBE as evidence of her alleged plans to take over ADOR were “rid of the context of where they came from”. Her legal counsel also told press that “there was no incident where Min tried to diminish the company value” and that “you cannot ‘plot’ to breach the trust. This just doesn’t count as that”.

During the conference, Min also shared how she believes the company “used me to the fullest and now wants to take me down because I don’t listen to them”. She also said that HYBE founder Bang Si-hyuk “wouldn’t let me [establish ADOR and launch NewJeans] unless the company held a 100 per cent stake”, but that she allegedly relented because “a fight would’ve taken months”.

Min also told press that members of the HYBE team had told her “not to promote NewJeans before LE SSERAFIM‘s debut, because they wanted people to think that LE SSERAFIM was Min Hee-jin’s girl group”.

“They never let me promote NewJeans as the first girl group from Min Hee-jin because they intentionally wanted to confuse people,” the ADOR CEO claimed. “That was all Bang Si-hyuk’s doing.”

According to The Korea Herald, HYBE claimed that Min had “manipulated the truth” during the conference and have asked for her to resign as CEO of ADOR.

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

A day after Min’s two-hour press conference, HYBE issued a statement refuting her claims, alleging that “so much [of what Min claimed during the press conference] is far from the truth to the point that it is difficult to go through them one by one”.

HYBE claimed that Min had “distorted the facts by mixing up the timeline”, while claiming that they “can refute all claims with evidence”. However, HYBE also stated that it has “decided not to mention them one by one as we judge that they are not worth responding to”. HYBE also urged Min to “resign promptly for the proper management of ADOR as she has already proven herself unfit to be in charge of management”.

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

Yonhap News Agency cited unnamed industry insiders in a report that Min had allegedly “demanded” the authority to “terminate” NewJeans’ exclusive contracts with the company. According to the outlet, Min allegedly made the request after negotiations between the executives of the K-pop agency and its owner HYBE over a revised shareholders agreement had hit a roadblock around the tail-end of 2023. However, HYBE rejected her request, calling it “too much”.

Min has since confirmed that the “request” was submitted in a proposal to HYBE, however claimed that it was to “address unreasonable interference [by HYBE], an issue that emerged during NewJeans’ debut, and to ensure independent management of the label” in a statement. She also denied that this request was related to allegations of a takeover levied against her by HYBE.

May 7, 2024 – HYBE requests an shareholders’ meeting to fire Min Hee-jin

“HYBE has requested an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting to fire Min Hee-jin, CEO and board member of ADOR, which is a violation of the shareholders’ contract between Min and HYBE,” Min’s legal representative told press, per Korea JoongAng Daily. HYBE owns 80 per cent of ADOR, while Min owns 18 per cent.

May 9, 2024 – Min Hee-jin files injunction to stop HYBE shareholder meeting

“Min Hee-jin contends that HYBE’s argument regarding breach of trust by Min makes no sense, which is why she resulted in filing for the injunction in order to protect the corporate value of ADOR and its artists,” the representative added, per Korea JoongAng Daily. Meanwhile, Yongsan police told the outlet that  it will “conduct a speedy and thorough investigation” on Min. 

May 13, 2024 – NewJeans’ parents allegedly speak out in new letter, HYBE responds

The letter was published via South Korean news outlet eDaily, allegedly written by the parents of NewJeans’ members. It was reportedly first sent to Min Hee-jin on March 31, who later shared it with HYBE on April 3, before the feud between ADOR and HYBE was made public and only a week after ILLIT had officially debuted.

“We express deep concern over the controversy that has risen with many similarities in concept […] between NewJeans and a group that debuted under another label of HYBE,” the letter reads, as translated by Soompi. “It is deeply regrettable that another label under the same parent company could plan a team that is intentionally reminiscent of NewJeans.”

“If these situations continue, this will undoubtedly damage NewJeans’s reputation and brand value,” NewJeans’ parents alleged, while claiming that the members of the girl group are “experiencing severe mental distress in this process”.

In the letter, NewJeans’ parents also claimed that HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk would “ignore the NewJeans members and their greetings whenever he ran into them at the company”, alleging that “this happened on several occasions”.

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 giant also denied several allegations in the letter, including claims of plagiarism and neglect.

HYBE also claimed that Min “drag[ged] in artists and their families in her own battles for her personal greed” by allegedly doctoring the letter, while claiming that it has evidence the email was “part of the plan for the takeover of management rights [of ADOR by Min]”. “We plan to submit this evidence to investigative and judicial authorities,” HYBE also said in response.

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

Belift Lab, the HYBE subsidiary ILLIT is housed under, filed a defamation complaint against Min Hee-jin over her claims that ILLIT had plagiarised NewJeans. “We filed a complaint against CEO Min for making false claims unilaterally against our company and artists and causing damage,” Belift Lab said in a statement. “We make it clear that the plagiarism allegations raised by Min against our artist ILLIT are not true.”

“We have submitted evidence to the judicial authorities that can prove the accusations are unfounded, and although it may take some time, we will resolve this issue through proper legal procedures,” the K-pop agency added.

May 30, 2024 – Court grants Min Hee-jin injunction against HYBE

The Seoul Central District Court ruled in favour of Min Hee-jin following her filing of an injunction to stop HYBE from exercising their voting rights and dismissing her from her current position as CEO of ADOR.

“The reasons for Min Hee-jin’s dismissal or resignation claimed by HYBE have not been sufficiently substantiated,” the court said of its decision. “While Min Hee-jin’s actions may be considered betrayal to HYBE, it is difficult to say that they constitute actions of breach of trust in regards to ADOR.”

In response to the court’s decision, HYBE said it “respects the court’s decision” and “will not exercise voting rights […] at the upcoming extraordinary meeting of shareholders”. The company also shared that it has “plans to proceed with subsequent steps within the boundaries set by the law”.

May 31, 2024 – Min Hee-jin retains her role as ADOR CEO, two “close aides” dismissed

The scheduled extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held on May 31 determined that Min Hee-jin will keep her position as ADOR CEO, however two of her “close aides” – only identified as Shin and Kim – were dismissed and replaced by three C-suite executive officials from HYBE. Yonhap News Agency noted that this decision would provide HYBE more “control” of the board.

May 31, 2024 – Min Hee-jin holds second press conference to address NewJeans’ and ADOR’s future

The second press conference held by Min Hee-jin took place the day of the shareholders’ meeting, during which she addressed her current relationship with HYBE and the future of the subsidiary label and its artists.

Min told press that plans for upcoming NewJeans activities have been “all thrown up in the air because of the ongoing month-long battle”. Notably, prior to the feud, the girl group had announced several new music releases, as well as a world tour for 2025.

“My foremost goal is to carry out the plans as I wanted with no problems. And now, since HYBE is now listening to my side, I hope that we can amicably settle,” she added. “If I don’t do this, and NewJeans has to take leave until our organisational matters settle, who does that benefit?”

Min also added that “what will be done in the future remains to be seen” at this current juncture. “But if HYBE wants to develop ADOR and its vision for NewJeans, then they would need to discuss that with me,” she continued.

July 15, 2024 – Source Music files US$360,000 lawsuit against Min Hee-jin

Fellow HYBE subsidiary Source Music – home to LE SSERAFIM – filed a lawsuit against Min, seeking KRW500million (roughly US$360,000) in damages for defamation and interfering with business.

In a statement to Billboard, Source Music stated: “The label’s accusations primarily include three complaints: (A) Min claimed that she personally selected the members of NewJeans as trainees (B) Min claimed that the company unilaterally broke its promise to debut NewJeans as HYBE’s first girl group and (C) Min claimed Source Music neglected the members of NewJeans.”

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

ADOR announced during a board meeting that Min Hee-jin would step down from her role as CEO, simultaneously announcing that Kim Ju-young, director of the board, would assume the position of CEO following Min’s departure. Despite her resignation from the role, ADOR wrote that she remains on the company’s board of directors and would continue to produce for NewJeans.

ADOR said that Min being in change of both the management of the label as well as the production of NewJeans was “the only exception among all the HYBE labels”. It added that it promises to “provide the best support for the success of NewJeans with this change in structure”, per Korea JoongAng Daily.

Two hours after ADOR’s announcement, Min herself claimed in a new statement that her move to step down was not made of her own volition. “The board made the decision regardless of the CEO’s wishes,” she said, calling the move “a grave violation of the shareholders’ contract”.

After Min’s statement, ADOR addressed her claims in a second statement on the same day, saying that the board meeting was “held according to the law”. “The date was chosen out of the list that Min Hee-jin gave. Min took part in the meeting online and the board made the optimal decision for the future of ADOR and NewJeans,” it wrote.

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

Min published a statement announcing her rejection of HYBE’s offer to continue producing for NewJeans, calling the terms of the contract “unreasonable” and “a trick” designed to force her rejection of it.

According to Min, the contract would have her retained to produce for the girl group from August 27 to November 1, which she claimed was “unrealistic” given HYBE’s purported “expect[ations of] the successful completion of crucial production tasks, such as preparing for NewJeans’ world tour in 2025”.

She also claimed that it included clauses that would allow the company to immediately terminate the agreement if “her work performance was deemed insufficient or if the company’s business circumstances changed”.

In response ADOR released a statement on the same day, claiming that the new two-month contract was meant to cover the remainder of her contract, which expires on November 1.

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

NewJeans members Danielle, Minji and Hanni uploaded several posts to fan community app Phoning to express their frustration over the ongoing managerial changes within ADOR.

Danielle wrote that she had “a lot of concerns” since Min Hee-jin was dismissed as CEO of ADOR. “It’s been difficult in many ways […] For a while, I was in a state of mental breakdown and very anxious,” she added.

Meanwhile, Minji said that she wanted to “comfort” them despite her frustration that “nothing has been solved” about the situation. “I was so frustrated with myself for not being able to solve anything. I am so sorry that we’re going through this unnecessary trouble when there’s already not enough time in the day to focus on the good things,” she wrote.

Hanni, despite not speaking directly about the situation, did touch on Min Hee-jin’s dismissal. “I was originally just practising writing songs and lyrics with my guitar, but Bunnies… our members… our CEO [Min Hee-jin]… I am also struggling at this time, but I wanted to comfort everyone and get rid of all my heartache.”

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

During their appearance at The Fact Music Awards in Osaka, NewJeans gave a shout-out to Min Hee-jin during their award acceptance speech. “We truly love and thank [former] CEO Min Hee-jin who always cherishes and protects us,” member Danielle said.

Hyein also added that she “want[ed] to say it one more time because it might be the last chance”, telling the audience that the group are “really, really grateful to our CEO”. “We love you so much,” she concluded.

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

All five members of NewJeans held a surprise livestream on a now-deleted YouTube channel, where they spoke on the ongoing ADOR-HYBE feud and called for HYBE to reinstate Min Hee-jin back to her original position as ADOR’s CEO. According to Hyein, the livestream was held without the company’s knowledge but organised with the help of “directors that we trusted on things we couldn’t prepare ourselves”.

“We hope that HYBE makes the wise choice to reinstate Min Hee-jin as the CEO of ADOR by September 25,” said Minji. “The ADOR that we want is an ADOR where the music production and company management are done by Min Hee-jin as the CEO. We make this request as the way to cohabitate peacefully with HYBE.”

The girl group also claimed that HYBE have been “bullying” Min, saying that they “feel so bad” for the music executive. “HYBE just seems like an inhumane company. What are we supposed to learn from such a company?” said Danielle. The band also opened up about unpleasant experiences with other staff within HYBE since Min’s dismissal.

September 13, 2024 – Min Hee-jin files injunction for shareholder’s meeting to reappoint her as internal ADOR director

Min and her representatives shared a statement announcing that they had filed for a court injunction for an “extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to reappoint Min Hee-jin as an internal director of ADOR with the Seoul Central District Court”.

According to the statement, under the shareholders’ agreement, Min was guaranteed a five-year term as ADOR’s CEO and an internal director of the ADOR board of directors. Despite the court’s recognition of this, Min claimed she was “unilaterally dismissed” by HYBE regardless.

“This is a direct violation of the still-valid shareholders’ agreement and the court’s injunction decision to guarantee the CEO’s term,” the statement read. Min’s representation alleged that HYBE continues to claim that her agreement has been terminated “without any basis although there are less than two months left on [Min’s] term as an internal director”.

HYBE responded to Min’s statement on the same day, claiming again that the shareholder agreement between HYBE and Min has officially been terminated. “A lawsuit has been filed to confirm the termination of the shareholder agreement, and we are awaiting the court’s decision,” it wrote.

October 29, 2024 – Injunction dismissed by Seoul court

On October 29, the Seoul Central District Court announced their dismissal of her injunction, saying Min’s claims “do not meet the requirements to constitute the legal grounds for a court judgement”.

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

Min’s request to be re-appointed as the label’s CEO was rejected by ADOR. However, the company had offered her a position as an internal director, giving her a seat on the company’s board. Under the conditions of the offer, Min would be able to produce for NewJeans for the next five years, which ADOR pointed out was “the whole duration of the girl group’s contract”.

October 17, 2024 – Min’s term extended for three more years

ADOR announced on October 17 that the music executive’s term as a board member was extended for an additional three years through a board meeting. Her stint as an internal director with ADOR was initially due to expire on November 1.

October 15, 2024 – NewJeans’ Hanni shares testimonies of harassment faced at HYBE at National Assembly

The Vietnamese-Australian singer was invited to the National Assembly to speak before the South Korean Labour Committee on workplace harassment she’s faced at HYBE.

Hanni claimed that, when she greeted the members of another band at the offices of their record label, a manager told them to “ignore her like you didn’t see her,” and that her concerns had been disregarded when she brought them up.

Other allegations she made were that employees had been bad-mouthing NewJeans on the communications app Blind, and that HYBE’s PR department had asked a journalist to downplay the group’s achievement – these had reinforced her feelings that “the company hated us”.

November 28, 2024 – ADOR demands public apology from Belift Lab

Although neither a specific group nor company were mentioned in Hanni’s claims, ADOR issued a statement demanding a public apology from fellow HYBE subsidiary Belift Lab (home to ENHYPEN and ILLIT) to Hanni for the incident. Belift Lab previously denied these allegations.

“Belift Lab’s claims differ completely from Hanni’s account,” it continued, although conceding that it was “unfair” and “unnecessarily harsh” to expect the singer to recount the incident in detail. “We fully trust our artist’s words and deeply regret the harm Hanni has experienced.”

November 14, 2024 – NewJeans allegedly threaten to leave ADOR if “grave contract breaches” were not rectified

The Korea Times first reported the issuance of NewJeans’ legal notice to ADOR, which allegedly includes the five-piece’s demands to “rectify all grave breaches of the exclusive contracts within 14 days of receipt”. NewJeans wrote in the letter that they “plan to revoke our exclusive contracts” with ADOR if these unspecified breaches remain unaddressed by the company.

November 20, 2024 – Min Hee-jin resigns from internal director position

“Today, I am resigning from my position as an internal director at ADOR,” the K-pop agency’s former CEO wrote in her statement. “Additionally, I am terminating the shareholder agreement with HYBE and intend to hold HYBE legally accountable for breaches of this agreement.”

Min wrote that she had “done everything in my power to uphold the shareholder agreement and restore ADOR”, however, she eventually concluded that further efforts to work with HYBE “would be a waste of time”. Following her resignation, Min said she intends to pursue “necessary legal action” against the “numerous illegal activities committed by HYBE and its affiliates”.

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

The South Korean Labour Ministry announced the dismissal of a case by NewJeans fans, filed on behalf of the group about the workplace harassment faced at HYBE, based on claims made by Hanni at her National Assembly testimony in October.

The Ministry claimed that “the content and nature of the management contract signed by Hanni” was what made her – and K-pop idols, by extension – ineligible to be legally classified as “employees” under current labour laws in the country.

The South Korean government instead classify entertainers as “exceptional entities” instead of employees in an employer-employee relationship, as they operate under exclusive, commission-based contracts with management labels.

November 27, 2024 – ‘NewJeans Hanni act’ introduced at National Assembly to prevent workplace bullying

South Korean politician Jeong Hye-kyung, member of the Progressive Party, proposed a new bill to amend current labour laws to extend legal protection and preventative measures against workplace harassment to exceptional entities.

Temporarily named the ‘NewJeans Hanni act’, Jeong said that everyone is entitled to protection “regardless of income, employment relationship, or contractual relationship.”

The new bill establishes new and special provisions for both labour providers and entertainers through mandatory regulations for employers. It also introduces penalties for individuals who fail to adhere to the regulations. The amendment has not yet been passed as of writing.

November 26, 2024 – Min Hee-jin files criminal complaints against two HYBE PR executives

Min filed criminal complaints against two executives – named in the complaint are HYBE’s Chief Communications Officer Park Tae-hee and a PR director only identified as Cho.

Min’s representatives claimed that they “not only failed to fulfil their obligations but caused significant damage to NewJeans and ADOR by downplaying the group’s achievements”. They added that they hope “appropriate criminal penalties” will be imposed.

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

NewJeans held an emergency press conference on November 28, where they announced the termination of their exclusive contracts with the label.

They claimed that their legal notice to ADOR had been ignored for the full grace period of 14 days, and ADOR’s alleged breaches of contract obligations had not been resolved by then.

“[ADOR is] a company that no longer has any sincerity in the art of music that is created, is rather fixated on appearing like a well-working company despite only having thoughts about making money, and does not have any conscience about the negative effect they create through their non-authentic means,” Hanni told press, per Music Business Worldwide.

Danielle also said that, while the group may not be able to keep the trademark rights to the NewJeans name and brand, it “doesn’t mean that we are giving up on the name at all”. She stated: “We will continue to fight for NewJeans. Regardless of our name, just remember that NewJeans never dies.”

Regarding penalties for contract termination, Haerin claimed that it “makes no sense” for NewJeans to be liable to pay a contract breach fee. “We never broke any rules,” Haerin said. “We did nothing but try our best – they are the ones at fault. HYBE and ADOR are the ones responsible.”

After the press conference, NewJeans publicised a document from ADOR addressing their legal notice, allegedly sent to them an hour after the conference was called.

November 28, 2024 – ADOR refutes NewJeans’ press conference statements, claims contract “remains in full effect”

Shortly after NewJeans’ press conference, ADOR published a statement refuting the statements made by the band. It claimed the conference was “planned and conducted without sufficient review, prior to receiving a response to the legal notice”.

It also maintained that ADOR “has not violated the terms of the agreement” and that a “unilateral claim of a breach of trust does not constitute valid grounds for terminating the contract”.

Additionally, the label requested that NewJeans continue cooperating with them moving forward, writing that the “exclusive agreement between ADOR and the NewJeans members remains in full effect”.

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 laws, while also filing a lawsuit against two Dispatch reporters for defamation. The announcement came shortly after Dispatch published an article accusing Min of being a “hidden hand” behind NewJeans’ public pushback against HYBE.

“Kim and Park, even today, wrote an article that is far from the truth. They wrote the article based on a one-sided story without verifying the facts,” Min’s lawyers wrote in the press statement. “We hope the police report will uncover their serious lies and that they are held liable.”

December 4, 2024 –  ADOR files lawsuit to verify NewJeans’ contract validity

ADOR filed the lawsuit on December 4 with the Seoul Central District Court to confirm the validity of its contracts with NewJeans, telling press in a statement that it felt it was “necessary” in order to “ensure its continued legal enforcement”.

ADOR claimed that NewJeans’ actions “would seriously hinder the continued development of K-pop”. The company also shared that it has “yet to have the opportunity for direct communication with the artist,” although they have reassured that they remain “committed” to collaborating with NewJeans.

December 6, 2024 –  NewJeans reiterate their right to terminate contracts, claim ADOR “severely harassed” NewJeans team post-departure

NewJeans published a response to ADOR’s lawsuit on December 6, where they reiterated their right to terminate their contracts with the company. They pointed out that “ADOR failed to properly assert that there were no breaches of the exclusive contracts” in their lawsuit announcement, and that they have done their due diligence to “return profits exceeding the investment to ADOR and HYBE”.

Despite this, NewJeans accused HYBE of “attempt[ing] various forms of interference, including defamation and reverse viral marketing, to devalue us”, adding that the label “allowed this to happen under new management”.

The band also accused ADOR of “secretly following us, defaming us, and spreading false information through media outlets”, on top of “severely harass[ing]” and investigating staff who assisted NewJeans in their activities post ADOR departure.