Amid feud with NewJeans, ADOR appoints new CEO Lee Do-Kyung

Amid feud with NewJeans, ADOR appoints new CEO Lee Do-Kyung

The turbulence at ADOR shows no signs of slowing down. On August 20, the K-pop label announced Lee Do-Kyung as its new CEO, replacing interim head Kim Joo-Young. This leadership change comes at a time when ADOR remains entangled in a lawsuit with its flagship act NewJeans, intensifying scrutiny around the label’s future.

Lee Do-Kyung, who previously served as Vice President at HYBE, steps into the top role nearly a year after Min Hee-Jin’s dramatic exit. Min, the creative force behind NewJeans, was asked to step down following a public feud with HYBE in 2024. ADOR had since installed Kim Joo-Young, a human resources specialist, to stabilize operations. With Lee’s appointment, the company signals a new direction, emphasizing strategic planning and artist management.

According to reports, ADOR expects Lee to strengthen artist IP initiatives and expand projects like “The City.” Korean media outlets note that under her leadership, the label is preparing both for NewJeans’ ongoing activities and the development of its next-generation boy band.
The timing of this appointment, however, has divided opinion. Critics argue that introducing a new CEO in the middle of an ongoing legal dispute only highlights instability within ADOR. One netizen bluntly wrote on X, “ADOR is so stupid… why replace the CEO in the middle of a lawsuit? That’s admitting management has no contingency plans and that Min Hee-Jin was right again.”

Others pointed to leaked remarks suggesting Lee found managing NewJeans “burdensome,” questioning whether she can steer the group’s complex career path. “She was just caught admitting she had no plans for NewJeans. This move feels reckless,” another user commented.

Not everyone is pessimistic. Some observers believe a fresh leadership shift could reset ADOR’s trajectory. “Big shift at ADOR with Lee Dokyung stepping in… Fresh leadership could mean a whole new direction. It’ll be interesting to see how this affects NewJeans and upcoming projects,” wrote one fan.

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At the heart of this turmoil is ADOR’s dispute with NewJeans. The group terminated its exclusive contract with the label in November 2024, citing violations. The fallout has led to a bitter legal fight, with ADOR recently removing NewJeans’ name from its official website. For many, the conflict between artist and label symbolizes deeper issues within K-pop’s management structures.

For ADOR, the next few months will be crucial. Lee Do-Kyung must prove her ability to stabilize the label, mend fractured trust with fans, and deliver results in an environment where every move is magnified. For NewJeans, the battle with ADOR could redefine their independence in an industry where labels traditionally hold the upper hand.

As the feud drags on, the new CEO’s appointment feels less like a resolution and more like the start of another chapter in K-pop’s most closely watched standoff.