NewJeans has opted not to challenge last week’s appellate ruling that upheld an injunction confirming ADOR as the group’s sole management agency, effectively clearing the procedural runway for a full-blown civil lawsuit over the validity of their exclusive contracts.
Court records show the five-member act allowed the seven-day window for a reappeal to lapse at midnight on Tuesday (June 25), eight days after the Seoul High Court rejected their objection to the injunction. Under South Korean civil procedure, failure to file within that period finalizes the decision.
Why the injunction matters
The injunction, originally requested by the idols themselves, was intended to stop ADOR from signing new deals or directing NewJeans’ activities while the larger contract dispute played out. In its June 17 opinion, however, the appellate bench ruled that “an individual cannot unilaterally terminate or exit a contract based on subjective reasoning,” adding that ADOR’s boardroom turmoil — including the ouster of former chief executive Min Hee Jin — did not meet the legal threshold for a breach.
The judges also dismissed claims that the agency had shirked its production duties, noting that ADOR sought to keep Min in a strictly creative role. With those findings, the injunction now stands in ADOR’s favor until a final verdict in the main case.
ADOR’s response
“The appellate court has clearly reaffirmed that ADOR is the official management agency of NewJeans,” the company said in a June 18 statement. “We hope this decision paves the way for the members to return to their rightful place as part of NewJeans.”
What happens next
Attention now shifts to the underlying civil suit, where NewJeans argues their contracts are invalid and unenforceable, while ADOR insists they remain binding. The third hearing in that case is scheduled for July 24 in the Seoul Central District Court. Legal experts say the months-long discovery process that follows could determine everything from promotional plans to earnings splits for years to come.
For fans, the procedural maneuvering means any near-term comeback or overseas tour is likely on hold until the contract battle is resolved—or a settlement is reached. With the injunction question settled, both sides have little choice but to make their best case in what promises to be one of K-pop’s most closely watched courtroom dramas of 2025.
