NewJeans Girl Group Officially Prohibited from ‘Independent Activities’ After Court Ruling

K-pop Controversy: NewJeans Banned from Independent Activities

In a significant legal development, the K-pop girl group NewJeans has been officially prohibited from engaging in independent activities outside their management company, ADOR. This ban comes after the group failed to file an appeal to South Korea’s Supreme Court within the designated deadline.

Court Ruling Finalized

The South Korean court’s decision was finalized on Wednesday when NewJeans did not submit a re-appeal within the one-week legal timeframe. On June 17, the Seoul High Court had previously dismissed the group’s appeal, siding with an earlier ruling by a lower court that supported ADOR’s request for an injunction. This legal action restricts the five members from independently entering advertising contracts or pursuing separate music projects.

Background of the Dispute

The conflict began in November 2024, when NewJeans announced the termination of their contracts with ADOR, alleging a breach of trust by the management company. The group, consisting of Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein, claimed violations of their exclusive contract and indicated plans to operate independently under the name NJZ.

ADOR’s Legal Actions

Following the group’s announcement, ADOR responded by filing for an injunction in January 2025, which the Seoul Central District Court granted in March. The injunction upheld ADOR’s exclusive management rights and prohibited the members from independently engaging in any commercial ventures.

Implications of the Court’s Decision

The court expressed serious concerns regarding potential financial damages to ADOR if the members deviated from their contractual obligations, indicating that the members could unfairly benefit from ADOR’s prior investments while the agency could incur significant losses. The ruling explicitly stated that NewJeans is barred from undertaking activities without prior approval from ADOR.

Financial Penalties and Violations

In a move that adds financial pressure, the court also sanctioned a harsh penalty of 1 billion won (approximately $730, 000) for each member engaging in unauthorized entertainment activities. If all five members were to participate in such activities simultaneously, the penalty could escalate to 5 billion won per incident.

Recent Violations

Despite the injunction, NewJeans has reportedly violated this legal order by performing as NJZ at ComplexCon Hong Kong in March and releasing new music, including the track “Pit Stop.”These actions occurred merely days after the injunction was put into effect.

Ongoing Legal Battle

NewJeans continues to assert that their trust with ADOR has been irreparably damaged. During a court hearing on June 5, their legal representatives declined settlement proposals, emphasizing, “Trust has been completely broken. There’s no turning back.”As the primary lawsuit concerning the validity of NewJeans’ exclusive contracts with ADOR progresses, the next hearing is scheduled for July 24, 2025. Until a final verdict is reached, the injunction against independent activities remains active.