All five members of NewJeans have officially ended their legal battle with their agency Ador, choosing not to appeal a court ruling that upheld their exclusive contracts.
Industry insiders confirmed on Friday that Haerin, Hyein, Minji, Danielle, and Hanni let the appeal deadline pass, effectively closing one of the most closely watched disputes in K-pop.
As per The Korea Times, the decision follows months of tension and speculation after the group’s relationship with Ador soured last year. The conflict began in August 2024, when Min Hee-jin, the former CEO and creative force behind NewJeans, was dismissed from her position.
Deeply loyal to her, the members demanded her reinstatement, and by November 2024, they announced plans to terminate their exclusive contracts — a move that sent shockwaves through the industry.
In a major legal setback for the group, the Seoul Central District Court ruled last month that their contracts with Ador remained legally binding, dismissing their attempt to cut ties.
The ruling was seen as a decisive win for Ador and its parent company, HYBE, which had been under intense scrutiny amid public debate over artist management and corporate power in K-pop.
Following the ruling, Ador confirmed that Haerin and Hyein would be the first to return to the agency, with Minji, Hanni, and Danielle later following suit. The group has now decided to fully resume activities under Ador, signalling the end of a tumultuous chapter that had left fans anxious about the group’s future.
Also Read: After a year-long dispute, Ex-Ador CEO Min Hee-jin backs NewJeans’ comeback
In a statement on Thursday, Ador said it was arranging individual meetings with each member to ensure a smooth transition back to regular schedules, promising to make its “best efforts” to restore trust and stability.
The legal dispute had cast a shadow over one of K-pop’s brightest acts. Since debuting in 2022, NewJeans has redefined the sound and style of the genre with hits like Attention, Hype Boy, Super Shy, and ETA, becoming a global cultural force.
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