On July 24, the third hearing in the civil case between ADOR Company and members of girl group NewJeans (Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, Hyein) took place at the Civil Agree Department No. 41 of the Seoul Central District Court.
The case focuses on the request of ADOR (under HYBE Group) to affirm the validity of the exclusive contract with NewJeans members.
During the hearing, the court confirmed that the mediation date for both sides was August 14 and that the mediation session would be held privately.
Regarding this issue, NewJeans' legal representative said that the members do not completely object to ADOR's comeback, however, they offer conditions to ADOR.
NewJeans said: Not that NewJeans completely refused to return to ADOR. If ADOR can return to its current state before the April 2024 audit (when Min Hee Jin is still CEO), NewJeans is willing to return. But if that's not possible, we hope they will let the members go by terminating their contracts."
On ADOR's side, the company stated: "The nature of this incident is the case of an internship student changing their mind after successfully debuting and becoming a celebrity.
We have invested 21 billion won and comprehensively supported NewJeans. We have supported 7 billion won for the debut album alone and 2 billion won for the group's MV. HYBE also actively supports them. Thanks to that, NewJeans achieved resounding success.
However, NewJeans' unilateral termination of the contract is a violation of the exclusive contract. The idea of exclusive entertainment activities may be the reason for this behavior. In addition, Min Hee Jin intervened. She tried to take over NewJeans 3 years ago.
In response, NewJeans argued: This legal battle began when HYBE conducted an audit of ADOR in April 2024. They accused CEO Min Hee Jin of trying to take control of the company and take over NewJeans. But there is no evidence in the audit or basis for dismissal.
Of all these, NewJeans suffered the most damage. After that, the police did not find any evidence that Min Hee Jin violated their obligations. The auditing and firing efforts are all based on false premises and aimed at eliminating Min Hee Jin.
NewJeans' legal representative emphasized: ADOR is not currently a successful ADOR in the past, but an ADOR run by HYBE employees.
They said they have supported and brought in huge profits, but that was when Min Hee Jin was still the CEO. This is no longer the company we trust, so we cannot continue to stay at ADOR.
In the previous 2 auctions, the conflict has not been resolved. Although ADOR has repeatedly expressed its desire for NewJeans to return, the members are determined not to agree.
The group stated, The relationship of trust between NewJeans and ADOR has not been able to be recovered, cannot return to its former state.
