All five members of the popular K-pop girl group NewJeans have decided not to challenge a court ruling that validated their exclusive contracts with management agency ADOR, according to industry sources. The members—Haerin, Hyein, Minji, Danielle, and Hanni—allowed the midnight deadline for filing an appeal to pass without taking action, effectively finalizing the lower court's decision in favor of their agency.
The legal battle stemmed from a prolonged conflict between the group and ADOR that began when Min Hee-jin was removed from her position as CEO of the agency in August of last year. The five-member girl group had strongly opposed this decision and demanded Min's reinstatement, creating significant tension within the company. The situation escalated dramatically in November 2024 when NewJeans publicly announced their intention to terminate their exclusive contracts with ADOR, triggering a series of legal disputes that captured widespread attention in the entertainment industry.
Last month, the Seoul Central District Court delivered a decisive ruling in favor of ADOR, officially determining that the group's contracts with the agency remained legally valid and binding. This court decision represented a significant victory for the management company and set the stage for potential reconciliation between the parties involved.
Following the court's ruling, ADOR made the first move toward resolution by announcing on Wednesday that two of the group's members, Haerin and Hyein, would be returning to work with the agency. This announcement was quickly followed by similar declarations from the remaining three members—Minji, Hanni, and Danielle—who also expressed their intention to return, signaling that all five members would be rejoining ADOR.
The agency has responded positively to these developments, with ADOR stating on Thursday that it is actively working to coordinate individual meeting schedules with each member of NewJeans. The company has also made a public commitment to exert their "best efforts" to ensure that all discussions proceed smoothly and constructively, indicating their desire to rebuild the working relationship with the popular group and move forward from this contentious period.
