Ador says NewJeans can continue without Min Hee-jin; group rejects reconciliation

Members of K-pop girl group NewJeans (NJZ) listen to reporters’ questions after attending a hearing at the Seoul Central District Court on March 7 regarding an injunction seeking to preserve agency status and prohibit advertising contracts. Yonhap

The legal battle between K-pop agency Ador and girl group NewJeans continues to intensify, as both sides presented sharply opposing positions during their first court hearing on Thursday.

While Ador claimed that NewJeans can carry on without ousted CEO Min Hee-jin, the members rejected any possibility of reconciliation, citing irreparable trust issues.

The Seoul Central District Court held the first hearing in a lawsuit filed by Ador, seeking confirmation of the validity of its exclusive contracts with the five members of NewJeans, who recently attempted to pursue independent activities under the name NJZ.

Unlike a previous injunction hearing, where all members appeared in court, only the group’s eight legal representatives attended Thursday's session. Ador was also represented solely by its legal counsel.

During the trial, NewJeans’ legal team argued that Min’s dismissal as CEO was a retaliatory act by board members aligned with Ador’s parent company, HYBE. They claimed the removal of the group’s general producer demonstrated a lack of intention by Ador to continue managing NewJeans and constituted grounds for termination of the exclusive contract due to a breakdown in trust.

Ador countered that the conflict between Min and HYBE was unrelated to the group’s contract dispute. “The defendants argue that they cannot carry out entertainment activities without Min Hee-jin,” Ador said. “While it’s true Min made significant contributions to NewJeans, saying ‘there can be no NewJeans without Min Hee-jin’ is unreasonable.”

Ador further emphasized its ability to provide new producers for the group, noting that NewJeans recently held an independent concert in Hong Kong, prepared without Min’s involvement. “The successful outcome of that performance suggests that Min is not the only one capable of producing for the group,” the agency said.

NewJeans’ side rejected the argument, saying, “All circumstances lead to the conclusion that the relationship between the members and Ador has been irreparably damaged. With the complete change in management, Ador is now effectively a different entity, with different values than what the members originally signed with.”

When the court asked about the possibility of a settlement or mediation, the divide remained clear. Ador expressed hope for an agreement, while NewJeans’ representatives responded that the members are not in an emotional state to even consider such a possibility at this time.

The next hearing is scheduled for June 5.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.