Ongoing dispute... Daniel and Min Hee-jin's 33 billion won lawsuit: Third argument session today (2nd)

*This content was translated by AI.

ADOR, the agency of girl group NewJeans, continues its third argument session in a 33 billion won damages lawsuit filed against former NewJeans member Daniel and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin.

The Seoul Central District Court Civil Collegiate Panel 31 will hold the third argument session on the 2nd for the damages lawsuit filed by ADOR against Daniel, his family, and Min Hee-jin Jeon (CEO).

NewJeans claimed in November 2024 that all five members' exclusive contracts with ADOR were terminated due to breach of contract, and they began independent activities by unilaterally notifying the termination of their contracts. However, in October 2025, NewJeans lost the first-instance lawsuit seeking confirmation of the validity of their exclusive contracts with ADOR, and the members subsequently announced their intentions to return to ADOR without filing appeals.

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

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

Earlier, during the second argument session, both sides engaged in a sharp dispute over the admissibility of evidence regarding KakaoTalk conversations between Min Hee-jin Jeon (CEO) and Daniel concerning contracts related to Daniel's music band. ADOR then argued based on these contents that "Daniel had no intention of accepting the maintenance of his exclusive contract with ADOR," and that "Min Hee-jin urged the termination of ADOR's contract with NewJeans, persuading him to avoid financial disadvantages and inducing contract termination, constituting a breach of fiduciary duty."

Daniel's side countered, "We were fully aware that there were grounds for terminating the contract with ADOR. The collaboration matter was merely an exploration of possibilities and not something to be discussed as if it were a major incident like something in Yongin." They added, "It is impossible to engage in entertainment activities. The amount of liquidated damages is enormous; how can one continue activities? The claim to continue activities is also an irresponsible assertion, and the trust relationship is breaking down due to the lawsuit that is tormenting Daniel."

In response, ADOR stated, "Who started this situation first?" and added, "We endured this and were bullied for over a year, so we do not understand the claim that Daniel's side has suffered pain since losing the lawsuit." They further asked, "How can you claim that Daniel cannot continue activities now that ADOR has notified the termination of the exclusive contract after having already notified the termination?"

On the other hand, Daniel's side rebutted, "After losing the exclusive contract lawsuit, we gave up on the appeal and intended to return to ADOR, but ADOR unilaterally notified termination citing past remarks and actions. We requested specific corrective measures, but these were ignored based on the relationship between Daniel's mother and Min Hee-jin." They concluded, "At this point, all members are unable to engage in activities. It is questionable whether NewJeans can be normalized."

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*This content was translated by AI.