NewJeans' four members are preparing for a comeback, while expelled Daniel faces a 33 billion won lawsuit with Hee-jin Min [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Adero, the HYBE subsidiary label, and Daniel, a former member of the girl group NewJeans, are continuing their legal battle against Adero's Jeon (CEO) Hee-jin Min.

On the afternoon of the 23rd, Seoul Central District Court Civil Consolidated Division No. 31 (Presiding Judge Nam In-soo) will hold the fourth trial session for the lawsuit filed by Adero against Daniel, his family, and Hee-jin Min for damages.

NewJeans members Minji, Hani, Haerin, Hyein, and Daniel claimed that their contracts were terminated due to Adero's breach of exclusive contract in November 2024 and unilaterally notified the termination. However, they lost the first-instance lawsuit confirming the validity of their exclusive contracts with Adero in October the following year, after which the members announced their intentions to return to Adero without filing appeals.

However, Adero did not welcome all five members back. In December last year, Adero notified Daniel that they could no longer continue as NewJeans members and terminated his exclusive contract. Subsequently, Adero filed a lawsuit seeking damages in the range of 43.1 billion won against Daniel, one member of his family, and Hee-jin Min. The claimed amount was later adjusted to approximately 33.09 billion won and submitted to the court.

Previously, during the third trial session held on the 2nd, both sides expressed divergent views regarding allegations of Daniel's double contracts.

Adero's side stated that NewJeans signed an agreement with a Chinese capital company that organized the 'ComplexCon' performance in Hong Kong last year, which constitutes a double contract conflicting with their existing exclusive contract. Furthermore, while other members became aware of the contract issue and cooperated with resolution procedures, Daniel and his family failed to disclose the contract signing. They argued, "Daniel's side consistently ignored the breach of contract and made no efforts to rectify it."

In contrast, Daniel's side claimed that Daniel's actions were not unilateral but involved all members. In a subsequent statement, they asserted, "NewJeans members, including Daniel, did not sign or attempt to sign exclusive entertainment contracts with any specific company in duplicate."

NewJeans, after expelling Daniel, has reorganized as a four-member group and is currently preparing for their comeback. On the 22nd, Adero released a special film on its official SNS to commemorate NewJeans' fourth anniversary since debut.

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*This content was translated by AI.