'NewJeans Partnership' Was Real... "Established for Entertainment Business Purposes, Costs Were Paid," Claim [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Agency Ador mentioned the 'establishment of a NewJeans partnership' as grounds for the girl group NewJeans violating their exclusive contract.

On the 2nd, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Consolidated Division No. 31 held the third trial session for Ador's lawsuit seeking damages against former NewJeans member Daniel, his family, and Min Hee-jin Jeon (CEO).

On this day, Ador's lawyer drew attention by claiming that "NewJeans established a partnership for the purpose of entertainment business operations."

Ador's lawyer stated, "The partnership regulations explicitly state the purpose of operating an entertainment business with the same objective as the exclusive contract in question and distributing profits acquired through this business," adding, "This directly violates the exclusive contract and involves signing contracts identical or similar to the exclusive contract."

Continuing, the lawyer listed expenditure items related to the partnership: "The venue rental fee for the press conference regarding the termination of the exclusive contract, which was led by Min Hee-jin Jeon (CEO), was also paid as a partnership expense. The rental fee for practice rooms leased with the intention that a male idol group to be produced by Min Hee-jin Jeon (CEO) would use them together was also paid as a partnership expense. Costs for photoshoots of the NJZ logo and various promotional materials created upon declaring a comeback were also paid as partnership expenses," he added.

Ador's lawyer argued, "Even if only cost payments were made, establishing a partnership for the purpose of entertainment business operations and incurring costs for entertainment activities constitutes an entertainment activity that violates the original exclusive contract and amounts to signing a similar contract."

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

However, in December 2025, Ador notified Daniel that he could no longer continue as a NewJeans member and terminated his exclusive contract, then filed a lawsuit seeking damages worth 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 regarding specific conditions for her return.

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

Earlier, during the second trial session, both sides engaged in sharp exchanges 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 such content that "Daniel was judged not to intend to maintain his exclusive contract with Ador," stating, "Min Hee-jin urged the breaking of NewJeans' contract with Ador, persuading him to avoid financial disadvantages and inducing contract termination. This constitutes 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 exploring possibilities; it is not something to be discussed as if it were some grand event in Yongin," adding, "Entertainment activities are impossible. With such a huge amount of liquidated damages, how can one engage in activities? The claim that he should continue activities is also an irresponsible assertion, and the trust relationship is breaking down due to the lawsuit tormenting Daniel."

In response, Ador's side said, "Who started this situation first?" and added, "We endured it for over a year while being harassed, so we do not understand Daniel's claim that he has suffered pain since losing the case." They also questioned, "How can one claim they cannot continue activities after notifying the termination of the exclusive contract and then claiming Ador notified the termination now? What is the factual basis for this?"

On the other hand, Daniel's side rebutted, "After losing the exclusive contract lawsuit, we gave up on appealing and intended to return to Ador, but they unilaterally notified termination citing past remarks and actions. We requested specific corrective measures, but these were ignored based on grounds such as the relationship between Daniel's mother and Min Hee-jin," stating, "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.