The courtroom lights may have dimmed, but the spotlight on NJZ (엔제이지) (formerly NewJeans/뉴진스) burns brighter than ever. In a ruling that could reshape the future of one of K-pop’s most talked-about acts, the Seoul Central District Court has declared the group’s exclusive contracts with ADOR to be valid, cementing the agency’s legal footing but leaving questions of trust and loyalty hanging in the air.
However, for NJZ, this is far from the final chapter. The five-member group, whose artistry and independence have long stood at the heart of their appeal, now faces a difficult crossroads. Despite the court’s decision, they’ve vowed to appeal, insisting that their fractured relationship with ADOR makes a return to the label impossible.
In its judgment, the court stated that it was “difficult to conclude that ADOR breached the exclusive contract solely by dismissing former CEO Min Hee Jin.” The bench elaborated that Min Hee Jin could have continued her producer duties as a director on the board, and that her position as CEO was not essential for fulfilling these responsibilities. The court added that the dismissal did not constitute a fundamental issue affecting the validity of the exclusive contracts, noting the absence of any clause linking her role directly to the contracts’ continuation.
Furthermore, the court acknowledged that ADOR continued to uphold its management duties toward NJZ following Min Hee Jin’s removal. Efforts to plan future albums, performances, advertising campaigns, and tours were cited as evidence that the agency had not neglected its obligations. Consequently, the court ruled that ADOR had maintained its managerial responsibilities in good faith.
The court also addressed the controversy surrounding HYBE’s audit of Min Hee Jin, who had previously accused the company of copying NewJeans’ concept for other groups such as ILLIT and LE SSERAFIM. The court found the audit to be lawful, stating that Min Hee Jin herself had initiated a “battle of media play” in early April 2024, aimed not at protecting NewJeans but at achieving her independence from HYBE.
Additionally, the court dismissed claims of workplace harassment involving a manager from BELIFT LAB’s girl group ILLIT. The members had alleged that NewJeans’ Hanni was the subject of disparaging remarks, but the court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to support the accusation. It further noted that ADOR took appropriate action by requesting a review of CCTV footage to investigate the incident.
In response to the verdict, the members’ legal representatives at Shin & Kim LLC released a statement confirming their plans to appeal. “The members respect the court’s decision, but given that their relationship of trust with ADOR has completely collapsed, they believe it is impossible to return to ADOR and continue their activities in a normal manner. Accordingly, the members will immediately appeal the first-instance ruling, and they hope the appellate court will once again comprehensively review the facts to date and render a wise judgment,” the firm stated.
Following the ruling, many netizens expressed disappointment and sympathy for the members, with some saying they had already anticipated the outcome. Others drew comparisons to EXO-CBX’s legal battle with SM Entertainment. Some fans even joked that NJZ and EXO-CBX should collaborate, united by their shared struggles against their respective agencies.
