NJZ legal representatives accuse HYBE of unfair treatment compared to other artists

NJZ legal representatives accuse HYBE

The contract dispute between NewJeans (NJZ) and ADOR took a new turn as the group’s legal representatives called out HYBE for alleged discrimination against the group. During the first official interrogation held on March 7, NJZ’s legal team argued that HYBE has treated NewJeans unfairly in comparison to other artists under its labels.

According to NJZ’s representatives, HYBE engaged in large-scale media tactics that negatively impacted the group. They cited several incidents between 2023 and 2024, including HYBE’s decision to create a new girl group, ILLIT, despite the ongoing success of NewJeans. They also pointed out ILLIT’s plagiarism controversy and the conflict with creative agency Dolphiners Film. The legal team emphasised that no other HYBE artist has faced such issues.

“HYBE’s large-scale media play, abandoning NJZ to make a new girl group, ILLIT’s plagiarism controversy, and the fallout with Dolphiners Film happened between 2023 and 2024. No other artists under HYBE have experienced this type of treatment except NJZ. HYBE’s other labels have continued with unfair practices, but ADOR doesn’t have the ability to prevent these actions. If this had happened in another company, it would not have been ignored like with NJZ,” Koreaboo quoted the representatives.

Furthermore, NJZ’s lawyers claimed that HYBE initially promised that NewJeans would be the company’s first girl group, yet the group was neglected for months after their debut evaluation in March 2021. They also accused HYBE of interfering in brand endorsements, specifically mentioning Source Music’s LE SSERAFIM.

“Hyein was chosen as an ambassador for a specific brand, but suddenly, LE SSERAFIM was also named as ambassadors. When we inquired with the brand, they confirmed that HYBE had requested it and assumed that they had talked about it with us first. The brand even apologized for the matter.”

The legal battle between NJZ and ADOR continues, with ADOR maintaining that the group has violated their contract by rebranding.