NewJeans and ADOR Split: Key Takeaways from the Press Conference
On November 28, 2024, K-pop sensation NewJeans held an urgent press conference announcing the termination of their exclusive contract with their management agency, ADOR. This decision has sent shockwaves through the music industry and raised numerous questions regarding the group’s future and the nature of their previous agreements.
Prior to the press conference, ADOR issued a comprehensive 26-page response to NewJeans’ final notice, which the group characterized as lacking sincerity. This document, exclusively obtained by Yonhap News TV, is pivotal in understanding the agency’s stance.
ADOR’s Position on the Contract
According to ADOR, the contract signed with NewJeans on April 21, 2024, is fully valid until July 31, 2029, marking a seven-year term since the group’s debut. ADOR claimed they have contributed significantly to NewJeans’ rapid ascent to prominence, both domestically and internationally.
Conflict of Interest and Leadership Changes
The agency addressed the ongoing conflict involving former CEO Min Hee-jin and the parent company, HYBE, describing it as an “unforeseen legal dispute.”ADOR reassured fans that despite these leadership shifts, their commitment to supporting NewJeans remained unwavering.
While ADOR laid out a roadmap for the upcoming year—including a fan meeting, a full-length album, and a world tour—they expressed disappointment over NewJeans and their families not engaging in discussions to resolve the issues.
Response to Allegations
In their rebuttal, ADOR argued that dissatisfaction with unfulfilled subjective expectations does not legally constitute a breach of contract. They countered several allegations made by NewJeans, attributing various issues to third parties rather than direct actions taken by the agency. Furthermore, they noted a lack of sufficient evidence to back some of the claims presented.
Assessing Breach of Contract Claims
Regarding the alleged breaches, ADOR questioned whether these were significant enough to warrant contract termination. They insisted that essential responsibilities, including event organization and negotiations, were satisfactorily met.
Summary of ADOR’s Responses to NewJeans’ Demands
- HYBE’s Report: ADOR clarified that the report did not suggest abandoning NewJeans and they lacked authority to discipline HYBE employees over these statements.
- Manager’s Comments: The incident involving another label’s manager telling artists to “ignore”Hanni was addressed, with ADOR stating they took measures to protect her image despite constraints in dealing with external influences.
- Inappropriate Remarks: ADOR expressed regret about a HYBE PR member’s comments and noted prompt action was taken, although legal advice suggested disciplinary actions might be unwarranted.
- Unauthorized Media Releases: They denied responsibility for the unauthorized release of trainee content but said they actively pursued its removal from circulation.
- Achievement Concerns: ADOR confirmed there was no intentional undermining of NewJeans’ album sales as suggested.
- Content Disputes: Only the “ETA Director’s Cut”content was acknowledged as an issue, which was removed to avoid copyright infringements.
- Future Activities: Plans for continued engagements and releases were outlined, with sadness expressed over the lack of further discussion from NewJeans.
- Min Hee-jin’s Status: ADOR reaffirmed that decisions on the CEO role belong to the board, while efforts to maintain Min Hee-jin’s creative input were ongoing.
This situation continues to unfold, and the implications for NewJeans, ADOR, and their fanbase remain profound. The K-pop industry is watching closely as new developments arise.
For more details, you can read the full response on Yonhap.
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