NewJeans Announces Suspension of Activities
Following Court Ruling on Exclusive Contract Dispute
NewJeans posing at the 2024 Gayo Daejeon Summer Blue Carpet event. The image is not directly related to the content of the article. Photo by Yonhap News.
The group NewJeans (NJZ) announced a suspension of activities following a court ruling prohibiting independent activities.
After finishing their performance at the Hong Kong ComplexCon stage at 10:30 PM on the 23rd, NewJeans delivered a prepared letter stating, "Today’s stage may be our last performance," and added, "We have decided to halt all activities in compliance with the court’s decision." They emphasized, "It was not an easy decision, but it is a necessary choice for us at this time."
The Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 50 (Chief Judge Kim Sang-hoon) accepted the provisional injunction filed by ADOR against the five members of NewJeans on the 21st, ordering the prohibition of maintaining agency status and signing advertising contracts, fully granting the injunction. NewJeans intended to change their team name to NJZ and pursue independent activities, but according to the court’s ruling, they are prohibited from engaging in commercial activities such as performances and advertisements without ADOR’s approval until the main lawsuit verdict is issued. Consequently, NewJeans cannot independently carry out activities without consulting ADOR until the first trial results are announced.
During the Hong Kong performance, the members expressed their stance of not returning to ADOR. Minji said, "We started knowing better than anyone that the path we chose would not be easy," and added, "We will raise our voices to protect each other, and we do not regret that choice." Hyein continued, "Some might think it would have been better to just endure and stay, but for us, this was about protecting ourselves. We believe that by doing so, we will become stronger and be able to come back again."
Minji also said, "We are taking time to gather our resolve and will try to move forward with strength afterward. We want everyone to know that this is not the end." She emphasized, "We will definitely come back, and when that time comes, we want to meet you all again with truly bright smiles." Lastly, Hyein shared, "Honestly, it has been mentally exhausting and difficult," and showed tears, saying, "Thanks to the great love and support you have sent us, we find strength."
On the same day, NewJeans revealed a stage for their new song "Pit Stop," filling 50 minutes with cover songs instead of their hit tracks. They originally planned to debut on stage under the group name NJZ and release the new song, but they did not mention the group name during the performance.
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