SEOUL – K-pop group NewJeans has vowed to appeal after it lost its bid to exit its label, Ador, after a South Korean court ruled on Tuesday that the group’s contract, which runs through 2029, remains in force.
The five members, Hanni, Hyein, Haerin, Danielle and Minji, announced last year that they were leaving the agency without mutual consent, citing mistreatment and manipulation. According to local media, the group plans to appeal the verdict.
The BBC quoted NewJeans as saying it is impossible to return to Ador and continue as normal.
The Seoul Central District Court dismissed the argument that the dismissal of former Ador chief executive Min Hee-jin, who had mentored the group, amounted to a breach of contract. NewJeans had claimed that her removal destroyed their trust in the agency.
Ador responded after the ruling, saying it hoped the decision would give the artists a chance to reflect on the situation. The label also said it is prepared for the members’ upcoming activities, including an album release, and is now waiting.
The case has drawn intense attention in South Korea, where labels hold significant power and exercise strict control over artists. It is rare to see performers openly defy their agencies.
NewJeans Rise to Fame
Formed in July 2022, NewJeans, whose members are aged 17 to 21, rose quickly before relations with the label collapsed. Their debut single, Attention, went straight to the top of the Korean charts, and SuperShy featured on several best-of-2023 lists from Rolling Stone, NME and Billboard Magazine.
Critics praised their mix of 1990s R&B and bright pop hooks, which cut through a K-pop scene dominated by electronic production.
Tuesday’s decision caps a year-long standoff between the chart-topping group and its agency. The group’s November announcement that it would split from Ador came after a long and public dispute involving Min Hee-jin, Ador and parent company Hybe, South Korea’s biggest music label with clients such as BTS and Seventeen.
Tensions escalated in April 2024 when Hybe began audits of Ador, then under Min’s management, and urged her to resign. Min denied claims that she was trying to go independent. She was dismissed as Ador’s CEO in August.
HYBE Stock Price Increases
Soon after, the band issued an ultimatum demanding her return. When Hybe refused, the members went public with grievances against the label, alleging that it had intentionally harmed their careers. Hanni also said she experienced workplace harassment while working with the agency.
In December, Ador sued to confirm that the group’s contract remained valid. As the row continued, the members tried to rebrand as NJZ in February and prepared to release a new track, but a court order halted the campaign.
They still performed the song at a show in Hong Kong, where they announced a hiatus. After the court issued an injunction in March, the group called the decision a shock, while saying the five members would face it together.
On October 30, 2025, shares of HYBE Corporation—the parent company of ADOR—surged as much as 7.12% on the KOSPI, adding approximately 915 billion South Korean won (about $644 million) to the company’s market capitalization.
Analysts note that while the feud caused short-term turbulence, ADOR’s contributions (primarily from NewJeans) represent a smaller slice of HYBE’s overall portfolio, which includes global heavyweights like BTS and SEVENTEEN. The ruling minimizes risks to upcoming promotions and tours, though NewJeans’ team has indicated plans to appeal.
The development underscores HYBE’s resilience in the competitive K-pop industry, where artist contracts and internal stability are critical to investor confidence. As of October 31, 2025, HYBE’s market cap stands at around 9.5 trillion won (~$7.1 billion), with potential for further gains if the appeal fails.
