Adore: "Min Hee-jin urged NewJeans to terminate contract," KakaoTalk evidence sparks 'tug-of-war' [Star Scene]

*This content was translated by AI.

Adore, the agency of girl group NewJeans, engaged in another round of legal maneuvering over the admissibility of private conversation evidence in a 33 billion won damages lawsuit filed against former NewJeans member Daniel and former Adore CEO Min Hee-jin.

On the 11th, the Seoul Central District Court's Civil Consolidated Division 31 held the second trial session for the damages lawsuit filed by Adore against Daniel, his family, and Min Hee-jin Jeon (CEO).

On this day, both sides engaged in sharp exchanges over the admissibility of KakaoTalk conversations between Min Hee-jin Jeon (CEO) regarding Daniel's music band-related contracts, and the court responded that it would take this into account while listening.

Subsequently, Adore argued, citing such content, that "Daniel had no intention of maintaining his exclusive contract with Adore," and that "Min Hee-jin urged the termination of NewJeans' contract with Adore, persuaded him to avoid financial penalties, and induced contract termination, constituting a breach of fiduciary duty."

NewJeans claimed in November 2024 that all five members' contracts were terminated due to Adore's breach of exclusive contracts, unilaterally notifying termination and beginning independent activities. However, in October 2025, NewJeans lost the first-instance lawsuit confirming the validity of their exclusive contract with Adore, and the members, without filing an appeal, sequentially expressed their intention to return to Adore.

However, in December 2025, Adore notified Daniel that he could no longer continue as a NewJeans member and terminated his exclusive contract, subsequently filing a 43.1 billion won damages lawsuit against Daniel, one of his family members, and Min Hee-jin. Currently, Haerin, Hyein, and Hanni have decided to return to Adore, while Minji is negotiating specific return conditions.

Thereafter, Min Hee-jin Jeon (CEO) proposed in an April press conference to halt all ongoing legal disputes on the condition that she would not receive the put option payment due from the first-instance victory. However, HYBE indicated its intention to continue the lawsuit by depositing 29.25 billion won as a guarantee to prevent provisional enforcement of the judgment.

At the first pre-trial preparation session, Daniel's side claimed that Adore was prolonging the lawsuit, stating, "It appears the plaintiff is openly revealing its intent to drag out this case. We wish for swift and concentrated proceedings." In contrast, Adore argued, "This is a lawsuit for damages and penalty claims. The defendant's entertainment activities are not determined by this case; the defendant can decide their own activities. Their activities are not delayed due to this case." Daniel's side retorted, "Adore notified the termination of the exclusive contract after Daniel expressed his intention to return to NewJeans. If Daniel resumes activities, Adore will certainly raise objections and create trouble. That seems entirely natural," sharply refuting Adore's claims.

While Adore is considering applying for witness testimony and the possibility of settlement has been mentioned by the court, Adore stated, "We do not rule out the possibility of settlement entirely." However, Daniel's side responded, "The plaintiff filed a lawsuit for a huge penalty fee upon terminating the contract; the word 'settlement' is something we are hearing for the first time."

In the subsequent trial session, Daniel's side argued, "From the beginning of this case, the plaintiff targeted only Daniel among the NewJeans members, notified him of contract termination, and filed a damages lawsuit demanding a huge penalty fee. There is an improper purpose to warn that other NewJeans members could face massive retaliatory lawsuits if they do not cooperate." They further pointed out, "Regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit, the plaintiff appears to be intentionally prolonging this case to waste Daniel's shining period as an idol in legal disputes, thereby achieving its intended purpose," accusing Adore of deliberately delaying the lawsuit.

Min Hee-jin's legal representative also stated, "We believe such attempts to delay the trial, driven by malicious intent to make the defendants' lives miserable, should not be allowed to occur in Yongin."

Adore's legal representative argued, "While the plaintiff also desires a swift confirmation of rights, if that method is pursued in a way that restricts the plaintiff's ability to prove its case, that would be problematic."

Thereafter, Adore adjusted the claimed amount in the damages lawsuit from the original 43.09 billion won to 33.09 billion won and submitted it to the court.

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*This content was translated by AI.