Ador vs NewJeans Legal Battle Intensifies as Injunction Hearing Sets April Court Date
The legal battle between Ador and NewJeans (now NJZ) intensified during a pivotal injunction hearing at the Seoul Central District Court. All five members of the K-pop group appeared for the proceedings, which focused on Ador's request to block the group from performing and conducting business under their new name, NJZ.
NewJeans members at legal hearing
Key Developments:
- Ador seeks to prevent NJZ from performing and signing new partnerships
- The group continues securing deals with major brands like Calvin Klein
- Ador expanded their injunction request to cover all NJZ activities
- A second court date is set for April 3rd regarding contract validity
Financial Details Revealed:
- Hybe/Ador invested $14.55 million (₩21 billion) in NewJeans
- Each member received $3.50 million (₩5 billion) in profit-sharing compensation
NJZ's Position:
- Claims multiple contractual violations by Ador
- Cites the debut of Illit as breach due to image overlap
- Argues pattern of mistreatment justifies contract termination
Ador's Defense:
- Refutes all contract violation allegations
- Disputes legitimacy of contract termination
- Presents significant investment figures as evidence of proper management
Industry Impact: This case holds significant implications for the K-pop industry, particularly regarding contract enforcement and artist-agency relationships. A ruling favorable to unilateral contract terminations could set a precedent affecting future artist-label disputes in the Korean entertainment sector.
The court's decision on the injunction remains pending, with the crucial contract validity hearing scheduled for April 3rd.
