Adoer Seeks Injunction to Block NewJeans' Independent Activities...

Additional Injunction Filed After Lawsuit to Confirm Validity of Exclusive Contract
"Exclusive Contract Remains Valid... This Year's Activities Already Planned"

Adore, a label under HYBE, has filed a court injunction against the five members of the group 'NewJeans,' who are currently involved in an exclusive contract dispute, seeking to preserve the agency's status and prohibit the signing of advertising contracts.

Girl group 'NewJeans' Yonhap News

Adore announced on the 13th that it had applied to the Seoul Central District Court last week for an injunction to preserve the agency's status and prohibit the signing of advertising contracts.

Earlier, on the 3rd of last month, Adore filed a lawsuit at the Seoul Central District Court against NewJeans to confirm the validity of the exclusive contract. It will take some time until the first trial ruling is delivered.

Adore explained, "The purpose of this injunction application is to be recognized as the management company (agency) under the exclusive contract until the first trial ruling of the lawsuit filed on the 3rd of last month, and to prevent NewJeans members from independently signing advertising contracts and engaging in advertising activities without Adore's approval or consent."

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

The NewJeans members claim that their exclusive contract was terminated as of November 29 last year due to Adore's failure to fulfill obligations. However, Adore maintains that the contract is still valid and has filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the exclusive contract.

Adore added, "The reason for filing this injunction is to prevent confusion and damage to third parties such as advertisers caused by the NewJeans members, who unilaterally declared the termination of the exclusive contract, continuing to attempt to independently contact advertisers and sign contracts."

Furthermore, Adore stated, "The claim by the members that the exclusive contract was unilaterally terminated is unfair and will be confirmed through the lawsuit to confirm the validity of the exclusive contract previously filed by Adore. However, since the final ruling may take considerable time, we have reluctantly applied for this injunction to urgently prevent the current confusion."

They also emphasized that this injunction application reflects Adore's intention to continue working with the NewJeans members.

Additionally, Adore conveyed industry concerns that if a precedent is set where exclusive contracts are unilaterally terminated and independent entertainment activities proceed without legal procedures, investment incentives in the entertainment industry will disappear, shaking the foundation of the K-pop industry.

Adore stated, "If confusion in the market and industry continues due to the members' independent actions, the brand value of NewJeans, Adore's sole artist, will inevitably decline, and as a result, Adore may lose competitiveness as an agency and face a management crisis. We also considered that even if a ruling confirming the validity of the exclusive contract is made years later, restoration to the original state may no longer be possible."

They continued, "We have consistently supported all personnel and facilities for NewJeans' entertainment activities and plan to continue doing so. We have received various project proposals such as advertisements and events from outside, and internally, we have already completed planning for this year's activities, including the release of a full-length album and fan meetings."