SEOUL (ANN/KOREA HERALD) – Ador has filed a lawsuit with the Seoul Central District Court to confirm the validity of its exclusive contract with K-pop group NewJeans, following the group’s unilateral claim to terminate the agreement, the agency announced on Thursday.
The agency stated that the lawsuit is a necessary step to ensure the integrity of exclusive contracts, which cannot be unilaterally terminated based on individual claims. “This decision was not made lightly,” Ador said in a statement. “It is intended to prevent misunderstandings where artists may believe their exclusive contracts have been legally terminated, potentially engaging in entertainment activities that violate the existing contracts.”
Ador emphasised that the case has significant implications for the K-pop industry, warning that a breach of fundamental agreements could undermine trust, systematic investment, and the long-term growth of the sector.
“If the sanctity of exclusive contracts is not upheld, it invalidates the company’s efforts and investments, which are rooted in trust and entail long-term risks,” the agency said. “Such circumstances would threaten the systems that have driven the rapid global growth of K-pop.”
Allegations against former CEO Min Hee-jin
The controversy has intensified following allegations that former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin facilitated NewJeans’ contract termination. Local media reported claims that Min was involved in introducing the group to Davolink, a company linked to an uncle of one of the NewJeans members, and proposed an investment deal to aid the group’s departure from Ador. The report cited testimonies and photographs to support these allegations.
Min has responded by filing legal complaints against former Hybe CEO Park Ji-won, Hybe’s PR head Park Tae-hee, and several reporters for defamation and allegedly violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection.
“Since April, the defendants have used illegally obtained private conversations and added false information to fuel negative public opinion against Min,” her legal team stated. Regarding the reporters, they added, “Despite knowing the malicious intent, the reporters published false reports aimed at defaming Min.”
Broader implications
Music critic Lim Hee-yun noted that the controversy extends beyond the legal and contractual dispute. “The core issue is not whether Min orchestrated NewJeans’ contract termination but the alignment of interests between the parties involved,” Lim said.
He highlighted NewJeans’ decision to hold their first-ever press conference, coinciding with the announcement of their contract termination, as an unprecedented move in the Korean music industry. “This likely reflects thorough legal preparation rather than impulsiveness,” Lim said.
He added, “Even if there was no direct communication between Min and NewJeans, their aligned objectives, combined with the group’s previous calls for Min’s reinstatement at Ador, suggest a coordinated progression of events.”
As the dispute heads to court, the case underscores broader challenges in balancing trust, investment, and contractual integrity within the rapidly evolving K-pop industry.
