The recent court ruling in favor of ADOR in its legal battle against NewJeans has sparked strong reactions across the entertainment industry. Experts agree that banning the group from independent activities was a natural and expected outcome, reinforcing the contractual obligations between artists and agencies.
Industry Leaders Support the Court’s Decision
Following the Seoul Central District Court’s ruling on March 21, which prohibited NewJeans from conducting independent activities outside of ADOR, Choi Kwang-ho, Secretary General of the Korea Music Content Association, stated, “It is common sense that artists cannot pursue solo activities while under an exclusive contract.“
He further emphasized, “The court has rightfully intervened in the questionable moves made by NewJeans in recent months. If independent activities were allowed before the main lawsuit’s verdict, the legal process itself would lose its significance.”
Lee Nam-kyung, an official from the Korea Management Federation, also supported the ruling, explaining, “NewJeans’ attempt to declare independence while still under contract was a risky decision from the beginning.” He added, “This case could serve as a key precedent for how exclusive contracts are upheld in the entertainment industry.”
An anonymous industry insider, referred to as A, pointed out that none of NewJeans’ arguments were accepted during the injunction hearing, stating, “The fact that their claims were entirely dismissed means the court found insufficient grounds for contract termination.” They also noted, “If NewJeans had been allowed to proceed with independent activities, ADOR would have suffered severe financial losses, and both parties’ reputations would have been significantly damaged.”
Background of the Legal Dispute
The dispute began in November 2024, when NewJeans members claimed that ADOR had breached their contract, leading them to declare their contract nullified and pursue independent activities. In response, ADOR filed injunctions in January and February 2025, requesting a ban on NewJeans signing independent contracts and engaging in music-related activities.
With the court now siding with ADOR, industry experts view this as a reinforcement of contract law in K-pop, signaling that exclusive agreements must be respected until officially terminated by legal means.
As the full-scale lawsuit regarding the validity of NewJeans’ contract continues, the entertainment industry is watching closely to see how this case will shape future artist-agency relationships.
