NewJeans Members Face $2.9 Million Fee for Unauthorized Activities by Former Managers

In a recent ruling, the court confirmed that penalties will not be retroactively enforced, providing relief to the five members of NJZ regarding financial repercussions stemming from their unilateral contract termination in November 2024. This decision currently protects them from liabilities arising from actions taken after that date.

The court emphasized the importance of compliance, stating, “NewJeans violated obligations established by the court order by rebranding under a new group name and releasing new music both prior to and following the judgment. Thus, it is necessary to implement constructive enforcement to ensure adherence to the order.”

Furthermore, any non-compliance by the debtors after they receive an official copy of the ruling will incur a penalty of 1 billion won for each violation directed towards the creditor.

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Previously, in March 2025, the same court issued a preliminary injunction in favor of ADOR, prohibiting NJZ from entering into individual endorsement or entertainment contracts outside of their agency’s directive. The court underscored that until a definitive verdict is reached concerning the validity of the exclusive contracts, NJZ members must secure prior consent from ADOR before engaging in any entertainment activities.

The legal conflict intensified following NJZ’s performance at the ComplexCon festival in Hong Kong, where they debuted a new song “Pit Stop”and declared an indefinite hiatus. ADOR quickly intervened, labeling this event as a breach of the previously established injunction.

The next hearing in the main trial, focusing on the legitimacy of the exclusive contracts between NJZ and ADOR, is scheduled for June 5th. Given NJZ’s significant fanbase, this case has attracted widespread attention, marking a rare instance in the K-pop industry where a group is openly contesting its agency.

The NJZ members have articulated their dedication to their personal beliefs and a passion for pursuing their musical endeavors independently, all while acknowledging the authority of the current legal rulings. The outcome of this case has the potential to set a pivotal precedent within the K-pop landscape, influencing artist rights and agency relationships.

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