K-pop girl group NewJeans is embroiled in a dispute involving their producer and former CEO of their label Ador, Min Hee-jin, and the parent label HYBE. The group expressed their support for Min during a surprise livestream on Wednesday, urging HYBE to reinstate her as CEO of Ador.

Last month, HYBE announced a decision to replace Min with new CEO Kim Ju-young and to separate the management and production divisions at Ador, while keeping Min as the chief producer. NewJeans member Hyein shared in the live stream that they learned about the CEO's dismissal through the news on the same day it was announced, describing it as sudden and tough for the group. Minji, another member, called on HYBE to restore Ador to its original state by September 25.

The group has given HYBE a two-week deadline to meet their demands but has not specified what actions they will take if their request is not fulfilled. Entertainment lawyer Chong Kyong-sok noted that while the two-week period holds no legal binding, it could indicate the time needed to prepare for potential legal action.

In the K-pop industry, contract termination procedures often begin with complaints and demands from performers. If the agency fails to address these concerns, artists may file for an injunction to suspend their exclusive contract. The outcomes of such injunction requests have varied, with some artists successfully terminating their contracts and others facing legal challenges.

NewJeans' public stance highlights the ongoing power struggle within the K-pop industry and the challenges artists face in navigating their relationships with management companies.

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