Two members of the girl group NewJeans have officially announced their return to ADOR.
The agency ADOR said on the 12th, “NewJeans members Haerin and Hyein have expressed their intention to continue their activities with ADOR.”
“After careful consideration with their families and sufficient discussion with ADOR, these members decided to respect the court’s ruling and comply with the exclusive contract,” ADOR stated said. “ADOR will do its best to ensure that Haerin and Hyein continue their smooth entertainment activities. We respectfully ask you to refrain from speculating about the members.”
In August last year, NewJeans members called for the return of former CEO Min Hee-jin, who was dismissed due to conflict with HYBE, signaling independent activities.
However, on the 30th of last month, NewJeans lost a lawsuit against its agency ADOR to confirm the absence of an exclusive contract.
The Civil Agreement Department 41 (Chief Judge Chung Hoe-il) of the Seoul Central District Court judged that it was not sufficient grounds for the reason for the termination of the exclusive contract claimed by NewJeans.
In particular, it was difficult to say that the dismissal of Min Hee-jin, former CEO of Airdore, which was suggested as one of the main reasons for the termination of the contract, violated the exclusive contract.
The court said, “The dismissal of former CEO Min from Audor alone has created a gap in the management for NewJeans, and it is difficult to say that he does not have a plan or ability to carry out his work,” adding, “There is no exclusive contract that requires former CEO Min Hee-jin to take charge of ADOR.”
“Even if former CEO Min Hee-jin was dismissed from her position as CEO, he could have participated in the producer’s work as an outside director,” court said, adding, “I didn’t think there had to be a CEO position to carry out the work.”
“It is difficult to say that the mutual trust between the contracting parties has been broken,” court said. “The trust relationship between ADOR and NewJeans is so broken that it is difficult to maintain the contract that it cannot be seen as a reason for the termination of the exclusive contract.”
As a result, NewJeans’ independent activities were prohibited without prior approval from ADOR. Some predicted that NewJeans would not be able to work until 2029, the contract period, if it continues its trial to the Supreme Court.
However, with Haerin and Hyein announcing their return, the situation is likely to take another turn.
The rest of the members, Minji, Hani, and Danielle, are said to have yet to express their intentions.
