ADOR Releases CCTV Footage and Messenger Conversations Amid Legal Battle with NewJeans

On the morning of the 7th, the 50th Civil Affairs Department of the Seoul Central District Court held a hearing regarding an injunction filed by ADOR against the members of NewJeans (Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein). The injunction seeks to preserve ADOR’s status as the group’s management agency and prevent the members from independently signing advertising contracts.

ADOR’s Evidence: CCTV Footage and Messenger Conversations

During the hearing, ADOR presented CCTV footage showing Hanni and members of ILLIT exchanging greetings, along with messenger conversations between Hanni and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin.

ADOR stated, "The footage confirms that the members of ILLIT greeted Hanni with a 90-degree bow." They also emphasized messenger exchanges between Hanni and Min Hee-jin, arguing that the situation had been misrepresented.

ADOR further explained, “Hanni stated, ‘All three members of ILLIT greeted me.’ At no point did she say, ‘Ignore them.’ Instead, she said, ‘I don’t remember well, but I think they just pretended not to know and told me to pass by.’”

They continued, "Min Hee-jin then exaggerated the situation, saying, ‘Ignore them? Are they all ignoring you?’ and turned it into an ‘ignore them’ incident. When asked, ‘Did your manager tell you not to greet them?’ Hanni simply responded, ‘I don’t know.’”

ADOR claimed that Min Hee-jin fabricated a false narrative, insisting that Hanni herself did not consider the situation a serious issue.

As the CCTV footage and messenger exchanges were played, Hanni appeared to reflect on the situation, eventually laughing quietly and turning her head away. She then glanced at Danielle, who was seated next to her, and smiled.

The Legal Dispute Between ADOR and NewJeans

The injunction aims to reinforce ADOR’s status as NewJeans’ exclusive management company until a ruling is made in the "Exclusive Contract Validity Confirmation Lawsuit," which ADOR filed at the Seoul Central District Court on December 3, 2023. The injunction also seeks to prevent NewJeans from independently engaging in advertising contracts or promotional activities without ADOR’s approval.

NewJeans and ADOR have been embroiled in a contract dispute since November 2023. On November 28, NewJeans held an emergency press conference, declaring, "After midnight on the 28th, our exclusive contract with ADOR ends." They demanded contract termination, introduced a new stage name, 'NJZ,' and launched independent activities. The group also announced the release of a new song at ComplexCon in Hong Kong on the 23rd.

However, ADOR maintains that the group’s exclusive contract remains valid until July 31, 2029. As a result, on December 3, 2023, ADOR filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the contract. On January 6, 2024, ADOR also applied for an injunction to uphold its authority as the group’s management agency and block any independent advertising deals by the members.

https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/108/0003309202