NewJeans but Not Really NewJeans... Members on Stage Introduced by Name Only

After Appearing as a Guest on Stage, Only Mentioned Own Name
Speculation on NewJeans' Legal Dispute Background

The group NewJeans, currently embroiled in an exclusive contract dispute with their agency ADOR, took the stage as a guest at the Japan unit band YOASOBI's concert in Korea.

On the 7th, the first day of the 'YOASOBI Asia Tour 2024-2025 Supernatural/Super-Genjitsu' Korea concert was held at Inspire Arena in Jung-gu, Incheon. NewJeans, who participated as guests at the concert that day, appeared on stage performing their song "How Sweet."

They said, "Shall we all greet together?" and everyone shouted "Hello" in unison. Even afterward, the members did not mention the group name 'NewJeans' but only referred to themselves by their individual names: Hanni, Hyein, Danielle, Minji, and Haerin. Their omission of the group name at an official event appears to be due to the ongoing dispute following the announcement of the termination of their exclusive contract with ADOR.

In July, the group NewJeans posed at the SBS 2024 Gayo Daejeon Summer Blue Carpet event held at Inspire Entertainment Resort in Yeongjongdo, Incheon. Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, on the 28th of last month, NewJeans held an emergency press conference and announced that they would terminate their exclusive contract starting at midnight on the 29th. They stated that the issues they had requested ADOR to rectify had not been improved, saying, "ADOR neither has the will nor the ability to protect NewJeans." At that time, Danielle said, "If the exclusive contract is terminated, the five of us will no longer be artists under ADOR," adding, "We want to break free from ADOR and pursue activities we truly desire freely." However, she also mentioned, "Scheduled and contracted activities will proceed as planned," and "All contracted advertisements will be carried out as scheduled." This is presumed to be a remark added because failing to fulfill pre-existing schedules could lead to further legal disputes.

After NewJeans' press conference, ADOR filed a lawsuit on the 5th at the Seoul Central District Court seeking confirmation of the validity of the exclusive contract. ADOR stated, "We did not want the issues with our artists to be resolved through legal judgment, but we made an unavoidable decision believing it necessary to confirm to the artists and various stakeholders that an exclusive contract between a company and artists cannot be lightly terminated based solely on one party's claims." However, NewJeans reiterated their stance that they are no longer under ADOR. On the 6th, NewJeans released a statement saying, "ADOR cannot interfere or intervene in our activities," and claimed, "We have already returned profits exceeding the investment to ADOR and HYBE."

Active Lawyer: "NewJeans Must Change Their Name to Continue Activities"

Meanwhile, legal professionals have been expressing various opinions regarding NewJeans, who notified ADOR of their contract termination. On the 6th, lawyer Lee Ji-hoon, through his YouTube channel 'Knowing Lawyer,' released a video titled "NewJeans is Power | Kicking Away the Ladder of the Powerful," stating, "NewJeans cannot use the name 'NewJeans' regardless of their will," and "There will also be issues regarding the use of previously released songs."

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

The lawyer said, "(NewJeans') claims cannot be inconsistent. Since they claim the contract with ADOR has been terminated, naturally, they cannot use the name, and there will be problems with previously released songs," adding, "If they cannot give up the name NewJeans, they will have to file a lawsuit." He further analyzed that if NewJeans does not follow ADOR's schedule after notifying the contract termination, the risks will increase.

He said, "The real dispute will begin after the already planned activities are completed. The real problem starts after the existing schedules end," and "If they do not execute the plans arranged by ADOR, the risks will increase." Additionally, regarding the penalty estimated at around 620 billion KRW, he said, "This is not a criminal but a civil matter, so they just have to pay the money. The easiest problem in the world is a matter of paying money," but also pointed out, "They may feel unpleasant because they have to pay even if they do not want to, but the money must be settled." Finally, he added, "NewJeans' claim to terminate the contract is fine. However, the money must be settled," emphasizing that if NewJeans wants to terminate the exclusive contract, they must settle the penalty fee.