NewJeans Willing to Return to ADOR Under Strict Conditions
Mediation Date Set Amidst Contract Dispute
The ongoing legal battle between K-pop sensation NewJeans (NJZ) and their agency ADOR has reached a critical juncture, with the group expressing a conditional willingness to reconcile with their management.
Court Appoints Mediation Date
During a court appearance on July 24 at the Seoul Central District Court, a mediation session for the validity of the group’s exclusive contracts was scheduled for August 14. This private discussion could significantly shape the future of the popular five-member act.
Conditional Return to ADOR
NewJeans’ legal representatives revealed that the members are not categorically refusing to rejoin ADOR. Their return hinges on a pivotal condition: the agency must revert to its state prior to the April 2024 audit conducted by HYBE.
“It’s not that [the members] absolutely refuse to return to ADOR. If ADOR can be returned to how it was before the audit in April 2024, [they] would be willing to go back. But if that’s not possible, then we hope they will let [the members] go by terminating the contract.”
—NJZ’s legal team
Accusations Against HYBE’s Audit
The group’s legal team argued that the dispute’s origin traces back to HYBE’s audit of ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin. They asserted that despite accusations of breach of duty, NewJeans bore the brunt of the fallout.
“This legal fight began because HYBE launched an audit against Min Hee Jin in April 2024. They claimed she was trying to seize management control and ‘take’ NewJeans, but there was no evidence in the audit or grounds for dismissal. The main issue was alleged breach of duty, and in the midst of it all, NewJeans suffered the most. Police later found no evidence of Min Hee Jin committing breach of duty. The audit and dismissal attempts were based on false premises and intended to remove Min Hee Jin.”
—NJZ’s legal team
Loss of Trust in Current ADOR
Furthermore, NJZ’s representatives expressed a profound lack of trust in ADOR’s current structure, stating it is now managed by HYBE personnel. This perceived shift has made a return to the agency untenable in its present form.
“Today’s ADOR is not the same ADOR that led to our past success. It’s now controlled by HYBE staff. The so-called generous support and dividends came when Min Hee Jin was CEO. We can’t trust ADOR anymore, which is why we can’t return to it in its current state.”
—NJZ’s legal team
This situation echoes broader concerns in the K-pop industry regarding artist-agency relationships and the impact of corporate restructuring on creative output. As of July 2025, K-pop agencies manage over 900 active groups, with contract disputes impacting the careers of many artists annually (Statista, 2025).
