The high-stakes contract dispute between K-pop sensation NewJeans and their management agency ADOR has entered an even tenser phase after the second mediation session collapsed without resolution. Fans and industry insiders are now looking to the Seoul Central District Court, which has set October 30 KST as the date for its final ruling.
On September 11 at 1:30 PM KST, the 41st civil division of the Seoul Central District Court presided over the latest round of mediation. None of the NewJeans members were present at the hearing. According to Korean media reports, the session ended in about 20 minutes—far shorter than anticipated—with both sides refusing to budge on their positions.
This was the second time mediation efforts failed. The first attempt on August 14 also ended in deadlock, signaling the depth of disagreement between one of K-pop’s most influential groups and their agency.
At the heart of the legal battle lies the question of contract violations. NewJeans’s side argues that ADOR breached the terms of their exclusive contract, which would give the members the legal right to unilaterally terminate their agreements. ADOR, however, firmly rejects these claims, insisting that the contracts remain valid and enforceable.
The stakes are particularly high because the outcome could reshape how artist-agency disputes are handled in the Korean entertainment industry. A ruling in favor of NewJeans might empower other idols to challenge restrictive contracts, while a win for ADOR could reinforce the authority agencies hold over their artists.
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NewJeans’s meteoric rise has made this case a focal point for both fans and industry watchers. The group’s unique identity and global fanbase have set them apart in the crowded K-pop scene, and any disruption to their activities could ripple across the market.
Meanwhile, ADOR’s position as a subsidiary under HYBE Labels adds another layer of attention, since HYBE has been at the center of multiple high-profile management disputes in recent years.
For now, the spotlight shifts to October 30, when the Seoul Central District Court will deliver its verdict. The decision is expected to carry weight not just for NewJeans and ADOR but for the broader landscape of idol management in Korea.
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