NewJeans announce hiatus after court rules against them in legal battle with ADOR

NewJeans has been embroiled in a legal standoff with ADOR and its parent company, HYBE, since last year.

K-pop girl band NewJeans has officially announced a temporary halt to all activities following a major legal setback in their ongoing dispute with their record label, ADOR. The decision was revealed during their performance at ComplexCon Hong Kong, where they debuted their latest song, Pit Stop.

The court ruling on Friday dealt a severe blow to the group, prohibiting them from conducting independent activities, including organising performances, producing music, or signing advertising deals. This verdict complicates their efforts to rebrand as NJZ and separate from ADOR, a move they have been pushing since August 2024, following the controversial exit of their mentor, Min Hee-Jin.

NewJeans has been embroiled in a legal standoff with ADOR and its parent company, HYBE, since last year. The conflict intensified when the group accused the label of mistreatment and demanded Min Hee-Jin’s reinstatement. When HYBE refused, the members went public with allegations that the company had deliberately sabotaged their careers.

Adding to the controversy, member Hanni alleged workplace harassment, further straining relations between the artists and their management. By November, NewJeans had declared their departure from the company, asserting that HYBE and ADOR had failed to represent them fairly.

However, the Seoul court ruled against their claims, stating that ADOR had fulfilled “most of its duties, including payment” and that there was insufficient evidence proving the label had violated contractual obligations. As a result, the group now faces financial and legal repercussions should they attempt to operate independently under their rebranded identity, NJZ.

Despite the legal barriers, NewJeans made a defiant return to the stage under their new name, NJZ, at AsiaWorld Expo Arena, Hong Kong’s largest music venue. Performing before a crowd of over 11,000 fans, the five members—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—took turns reading an emotional letter to their supporters in English and Korean.

"This stage means so much to us, and every single one of you gives us strength just by being here," said Hanni and Danielle. "It is really hard for us to say this, but this might be our last performance for a little while. Out of respect for the court’s decision, we’ve decided to pause all our activities for now."

The group emphasised that their choice was necessary for their future, stating, "We had to speak up to protect the values that we believe in, and that was a choice we don't regret at all." They reassured fans that standing up for their "dignity, rights, and everything we deeply care about" was the right course of action, despite the consequences.

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ADOR released a statement expressing disappointment over NewJeans' decision to perform under a new name, defying the court ruling. "We regret the members’ decision to proceed with a performance under a name other than NewJeans, despite the court order, and their unilateral announcement of a suspension of activities," the statement read. The company reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the group within the framework of their legally binding contract and expressed hope for further discussions.