Dolphin Kidnappers Uploaded 'NewJeans Music Video' to YouTube... Court Orders 1 Billion Won Compensation to Adore

Ruling by Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 62

Adore has won a damages lawsuit against the advertising production company Dolphin Kidnappers. Dolphin Kidnappers uploaded a NewJeans music video to their own YouTube channel without Adore's permission, but deleted it after receiving a request for removal.

On January 13, the Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division 62 (Presiding Judge Lee Hyunseok) partially ruled in favor of Adore in the damages lawsuit filed against Dolphin Kidnappers and director Shin Wooseok, ordering Dolphin Kidnappers to pay 1 billion won to Adore.

NewJeans' "ETA" music video made with iPhone in collaboration with Apple. Photo by Apple

The court recognized 1 billion won out of Adore’s total damages claim of 1.1 billion won, specifically for breach of contract. However, the 100 million won claim for damages against director Shin personally, on grounds of defamation, was dismissed.

Previously, in August 2024, Dolphin Kidnappers uploaded the director’s cut of NewJeans’ “ETA” music video, which they had produced, to their own YouTube channel. Adore responded by filing a civil lawsuit, stating, “The company owns the rights to the video and there was no prior consent procedure as stipulated in the contract.”

During the trial, Min Hee-jin, former CEO of Adore, appeared as a witness for director Shin and testified that there had been a verbal agreement. At the hearing in November last year, Min stated, “It is generally accepted in the industry for music video directors to post videos on their social media accounts,” and claimed that the release of the director’s cut had been verbally agreed upon.

NewJeans. Provided by Adore

However, the court determined that Dolphin Kidnappers did breach the contract and caused damage to Adore.

Dolphin Kidnappers previously produced the promotional video for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held in Gyeongju last year. For this achievement, director Shin received the Order of Civil Merit, Magnolia Medal, from President Lee Jaemyung at the Blue House State Guest House on January 2.