The intensifying legal showdown between K-pop sensation NewJeans and their agency ADOR took a dramatic turn on May 30, with the Seoul Central District Court ruling firmly in favor of the agency. The court declared that the group had violated a prior injunction and authorized a steep financial penalty as part of its enforcement order.
Court Rules Group Breached March Injunction
According to the 52nd Civil Division of the court, NewJeans failed to comply with the conditions set in a March 2025 injunction. Despite being legally restrained, the group continued to promote themselves independently, notably under the name NJZ, and even released new music.
These activities — both pre- and post-injunction — were cited as clear violations of the court’s directive, undermining the binding agreement between the artists and their agency.
Financial Penalties Reach into Billions
In a move designed to stop further unauthorized promotions, the court granted ADOR’s request for indirect enforcement, levying a 1 billion KRW fine per member for each instance of infringement. With all five members potentially involved, each offense could cost the group up to 5 billion KRW.
The court stated that the fines aim to prevent “likely continued violations” and to compel the group to operate only under ADOR’s guidance until the legal dispute is resolved.
From Contract Termination to Legal Standoff
The bitter conflict erupted in November 2024, when NewJeans abruptly announced their departure from ADOR, citing the termination of their exclusive contracts. In response, ADOR filed for legal intervention, leading to the March injunction that barred the members from entering contracts or appearing publicly without the agency’s approval.
Despite the court order, the group appeared at ComplexCon in late March, performing as NJZ and unveiling new material — actions that directly prompted ADOR to pursue stricter enforcement.
NewJeans Pushes Back
NewJeans’ legal team responded swiftly, downplaying the permanence of the ruling. “This is a provisional measure,” their statement emphasized. “If our appeal against the injunction succeeds, both the court order and the fines will become null.”
What’s Next?
The core contract dispute remains unresolved, with the second hearing in the main lawsuit set for June 5. Until then, the group faces both legal and financial pressure to halt all independent promotions — a sharp reminder of the high stakes in the battle between K-pop artists and management agencies.
