NewJeans "Exclusive Contract Terminated as of Today"... HYBE "Will Respond Appropriately"

NewJeans to Release Additional Statement on 29th
"Maintaining Exclusive Contract, Severe Mental Distress"
"Will Leave HYBE and ADOR to Pursue Activities Freely"
HYBE: "Received Termination Notice... Will Announce Decision Immediately"

Group NewJeans has declared the termination of their exclusive contract with ADOR, reiterating their official stance that they will completely leave the agency.

The group NewJeans is attending a press conference regarding the termination of their exclusive contract held on the afternoon of the 28th at SpaceShare Samsung Station Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. From left to right: Haerin, Danielle, Minji, Hani, Hyein. Photo by Yonhap News.

The five members of NewJeans?Kim Minji, Hani Palm, Marsh Daniel, Kang Haerin, and Lee Hyein?stated in an official statement on the 29th, "As of November 29, 2024, we will terminate our exclusive contract with ADOR and plan to continue our activities freely, independent from HYBE and ADOR."

They emphasized once again that the exclusive contract was terminated starting at midnight on this day, as previously announced at the press conference the day before.

The five members of NewJeans pointed out that ADOR, as the agency with which they signed the exclusive contract, has an obligation to manage them diligently for their benefit, stating, "On November 13, 2024, the five of us made a final request to ADOR to correct breaches of duty. The correction period of the 14th passed, but ADOR refused to make corrections, and none of the requested corrections were resolved."

They continued, "Over the past few months, we have repeatedly requested corrections from ADOR. However, ADOR consistently responded with evasion and excuses. We clearly state that genuine communication based on mutual respect did not occur due to ADOR."

In other words, ADOR took no corrective action even after working hours, and NewJeans pointed out that given the remaining contract period, physical correction became impossible.

The members emphasized, "Since we held an urgent press conference yesterday, ADOR's claim that we did not wait for their response is nothing but wordplay."

They further stated, "As ADOR violated its contractual obligations and failed to correct the issues within the correction period, we hereby notify ADOR of contract termination."

Additionally, they said, "This termination notice is pursuant to the exclusive contract, and the five of us personally signed the termination notice document. The notice took effect immediately upon reaching ADOR on November 29, 2024," adding, "Therefore, from that moment, the exclusive contract is null and void. There is no reason to file an injunction to terminate the contract, and we can freely carry out activities starting November 29, 2024."

NewJeans stated, "We have faithfully fulfilled our contractual obligations as ADOR's signed artists. The contract termination is solely due to ADOR's breach of duty, so we have no obligation to pay any penalties," and "we do not wish for any harm to come to others due to the contract termination. We will faithfully fulfill all contractual obligations made between ADOR and others before the termination date."

They also said, "We can no longer remain with ADOR, which fails to fulfill the basic duty of protecting its artists, and maintaining the exclusive contract would only cause us severe mental distress," concluding, "Therefore, the five of us have reached the conclusion that we must leave ADOR."

They added, "We have been hurt and shocked by numerous media plays based on false information. We hope such situations will not occur after the contract termination. We will continue to do our best to deliver good music. We would appreciate your support and attention to our future."

In response, ADOR maintains the position that "(the agency) did not breach the contract, and the claim of unilateral loss of trust does not constitute grounds for termination. The exclusive contract with NewJeans is valid until July 31, 2029."

On the same day, HYBE, ADOR's parent company, announced through a public disclosure, "ADOR has received a notice from its signed artist NewJeans regarding the termination of the exclusive contract effective at midnight on November 29, 2024. We will respond appropriately to this contract termination notice and will disclose any decisions regarding the contract termination as soon as they are made."