NewJeans (NJZ) Responds to Court Ruling: “Korea Seems to Want to Make Us Revolutionaries”
On March 22, TIME featured an exclusive interview with the five members of NewJeans, during which they conveyed their disappointment with a recent court ruling. They recognized that significant changes within the K-pop industry are unlikely to occur swiftly.“Compared to everything we’ve been through so far, this is just another step in our journey, ”the members noted, adding, “This may be the current reality in Korea. But that’s precisely why we believe change and growth are necessary.”One member remarked, “It almost feels like Korea wants to turn us into revolutionaries.”
On March 21, a ruling from the Seoul Central District Court favored ADOR, blocking the NewJeans members from pursuing independent activities without prior approval from their agency. The court determined that NewJeans did not present enough evidence to show that ADOR breached its contractual obligations, stating that their relationship had not entirely deteriorated.
In response to the ruling, ADOR expressed support for NewJeans, reaffirming its commitment to the group. While the members expressed respect for the court’s decision, they voiced concerns that it did not reflect the significant erosion of trust they had experienced with ADOR. They disclosed their intention to appeal, pledging to submit further evidence.
TIME emphasized the broader implications of the NewJeans case in terms of “idol mistreatment by agencies.”Hanni commented on pervasive structural issues within K-pop, stating, “There’s just a very structural problem in K-pop in general, where companies don’t regard their artists as actual human beings, but rather as products.”Minji highlighted the myriad challenges they faced since their debut, while an emotional Danielle shared, “It’s truly heartbreaking to think that anyone would have to go through a situation like this.”
In a statement to TIME, ADOR denied hampering the careers of the members, clarifying that it aimed to ensure their activities continued under the current contract. The agency expressed regret about the escalation to legal proceedings, suggesting that misunderstandings about management could be resolved upon the group’s return.
NJZ has recently launched official accounts across various social media platforms, including TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and Instagram. Fans are engaging with these accounts, celebrating the group’s digital expansion. The branding features a consistent image of a bunny face along with the letters ‘NJZ’, solidifying their official online identity.
Despite the ongoing legal conflict, NewJeans is set to perform at ComplexCon in Hong Kong on the 23rd. ADOR has confirmed that the event will take place under their banner, promising complete support on-site.
Here is the full interview of NewJeans (NJZ) with TIME.
Why K-Pop Group NewJeans Or NJZ Is Brazenly Taking on Its Former Label
The K-pop landscape has shifted dramatically in 2024, with idol Lee Hyein experiencing unexpected turmoil. In a matter of months, she and her fellow NewJeans members transitioned from being one of the industry’s leading acts to controversial figures amidst a dispute with their former label.
During a video interview with TIME in early March, Hyein, 16, remarked, “Some people would conveniently switch their perspective, treating me as a kid when it suited them and then expecting me to act like an adult when it was more convenient for them. It was definitely one of the hardest times for me.”
In November of last year, Hyein and her bandmates—Minji (Kim Minji), Danielle (Danielle Marsh), Haerin (Kang Haerin), and Hanni (Pham Ngoc Han)—unilaterally terminated their contract with ADOR, a subsidiary of the K-pop powerhouse HYBE. This escalated tensions within the industry, as allegations of “unfair treatment, ””discrimination, ”and workplace harassment surfaced, all of which ADOR vehemently denied.
To the surprise of many, in February, the under-21 group announced a new identity as NJZ, with a performance scheduled for March 23 at ComplexCon in Hong Kong. Haerin stated, “Nothing about the group has fundamentally changed, but under the name NJZ, we now have greater creative freedom and a broader artistic scope.”
However, their journey has not been without challenges. Since their debut in August 2022, the group has made waves with catchy tracks like “Super Shy, ””OMG, ”and “Ditto, ”topping the Billboard Hot 100 charts and earning a Guinness World Record for streaming. Their departure from ADOR has potential repercussions for the agency, particularly as the K-pop market grapples with declining worldwide sales this year. Following the group’s exit in November, HYBE saw a significant drop in market capitalization, losing nearly half a billion dollars.
In January, ADOR filed an injunction to prohibit the five from engaging in new promotional activities without the agency’s oversight. The following month, after NJZ’s rebranding, that request was expanded to include bans on new music releases and international performances. Just prior to their scheduled performance, the court granted this preliminary injunction. ADOR has since proclaimed its “full commitment” to support the group, with representatives stating they will be present at the ComplexCon event, while the members announced plans to contest the ruling.
In an exclusive statement to TIME, the members expressed disappointment with the court’s decision while acknowledging that significant change within the K-pop industry is unlikely to happen overnight.“Compared to everything we’ve been through so far, this is just another step in our journey. This may be the current reality in Korea. But that’s why we believe change and growth are essential. It feels like Korea is trying to turn us into revolutionaries.”
The previous year has been tumultuous for K-pop. Besides the NJZ controversies, other incidents, such as BTS member SUGA’s drink-driving incident and the dismissal of former NCT member Taeil after allegations of sexual assault, have emerged, shaking the industry.
NewJeans captured attention with hits like “Hybe Boy”and “Attention.”
The situation with NewJeans became public in April 2024, when HYBE announced intentions to audit ADOR, following concerns regarding claims that former CEO Min Hee-jin was attempting to poach the group. In response, Min accused HYBE of “undermining” their image. Tensions peaked in August when Min stepped down as ADOR’s CEO. The five members unexpectedly took to a livestream—which was later removed—to demand Min’s reinstatement, claiming they faced a toxic work environment at HYBE, which they labeled an “inhumane company.” Hyein described Min as a protector who shielded them from many challenges they now confront.
K-pop has long been criticized for its agencies’ inadequate treatment of artists, contributing to high rates of idol suicides and harsh labor conditions. Some idols have sought independence from their agencies for better work-life balance. Hanni remarked, “There’s just a structural problem in K-pop where companies don’t view their artists as human beings, but as products.”
Legal representatives for NJZ have outlined multiple instances of mistreatment in correspondence with TIME. Allegations include a HYBE PR representative attempting to downplay the group’s accomplishments, accusations of a manager instructing members of another band to ignore Hanni, and claims of media manipulation by HYBE around their comeback. During the interview, Minji pointed to an instance when HYBE allegedly tried to prevent them from wearing memorial ribbons for victims of the December 2024 Jeju Air crash.
Feeling cornered, the group organized a press conference on November 28. Hanni expressed they had not anticipated these developments, while Minji confronted Chairperson Bang directly, stating, “Since our debut, we’ve faced numerous obstacles and interference. Only now can we finally discuss this.”
During the conversation, Danielle was overcome with emotion.“So many people likely face similar situations, ”she stated.“It’s truly heartbreaking to think that anyone would endure such experiences.”
A separate hearing to determine the validity of the members’ contract with ADOR, which extends to 2029, is scheduled for April 3, a process that may take years. Some industry experts warn that a favorable ruling for NJZ could destabilize future investment in the idol sector, setting a concerning precedent for unilateral contract termination. The argument from agencies is that they risk losing significant investments in talent, with ADOR claiming it invested approximately 21 billion Korean won (about $14 million) to launch NewJeans, of which it asserts over 12 billion won (approximately $8 million) has been paid in settlements since October 2023. ADOR reiterated to TIME that its intention is “not to hinder the artists’ careers, but to ensure that they can continue their activities under our existing contractual agreement.”
However, NJZ’s legal representatives are not seeking to harm agencies; they are focused solely on enabling the five members to “break free”from what they argue are “unfair constraints”imposed by their former label so they can pursue music independently.“It will not negatively impact other entertainment companies or artists, ”they emphasized in their correspondence with TIME.“If a company has upheld its contractual obligations and adequately protected its artists, there would be no basis for an artist to succeed in a lawsuit.”Minji reinforced to TIME that their requests from HYBE and ADOR were not “extraordinary or unreasonable.”
Legal analysts have varied views on potential outcomes. According to the Korean newspaper Hankook Ilbo, one lawyer contends that HYBE’s purported intentions to part ways with NewJeans bolster the group’s case for unilaterally terminating their contract, while another lawyer believes sufficient grounds for such an action may not exist. If NJZ loses in court, the financial repercussions could be significant; experts warn that breaching their contract with ADOR could incur penalties up to 620 billion won (around $420 million).
In statements to TIME, ADOR expressed regret over the escalation of this dispute to the courts, emphasizing that any “misunderstandings, ” attributed to the agency’s previous management, could be fully resolved if the members returned.
Nonetheless, the relationship between NJZ and ADOR appears irreparable as the group navigates business affairs independently. Hanni dismissed rumors of signing with another label but mentioned, “We are looking for an agency to help us… a third party to facilitate communication with others.”
The members are also channeling their energies into their upcoming projects. Known for their nostalgic Y2K aesthetic as NewJeans, under NJZ, they claim this new direction will afford them the freedom to experiment creatively. While they refrained from disclosing specifics about their upcoming changes, Danielle hinted at a surprise for fans during their live performance in Hong Kong: “We want it to be like, BAM!, at that moment.”
Despite the looming legal challenges, the quintet expressed enthusiasm about their future, emphasizing their pursuit of independence and creative autonomy. They expressed deep gratitude to their loyal fans—whom they fondly call “Bunnies”—and their families for their unwavering support during this tumultuous time.
Reflecting on their experiences, Minji shared, “Initially, I thought, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ But I’ve grown through this ordeal and encountered so many amazing individuals along the way.”
In 2023, Hanni noted that predicting the future of K-pop was challenging. Less than two years later, she found herself at the center of the industry’s latest workplace scandal, stating, “We don’t know what the future holds.”Danielle echoed her sentiment, emphasizing that the group did not intend to become embroiled in the current crisis, yet she felt it was an “important experience”for their evolution as artists.
As they navigate this tumultuous period, Hanni reassured fans, saying, “If it changes the K-pop industry, so be it. If it doesn’t, it simply won’t; that’s how it is. Regardless of the outcome, we are very proud of ourselves.”
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