HYBE LEGAL TEAM, New Jeans claims ADOR is requesting the court to ban all of their entertainment activities + ADOR Reponse

“Hello, this is NJZ.

Last Friday, we felt it necessary to clarify our position to prevent any misunderstandings regarding ADOR's additional statement and the injunction scheduled for this week. We terminated our exclusive contract with ADOR as of November 29, 2024, due to their failure to fulfill their contractual obligations. As a result, the contract has ended, and ADOR no longer has the authority to manage or interfere with our activities. Despite this, on January 6, 2025, ADOR filed an injunction requesting recognition of their status as NJZ’s management company.

At the time, ADOR appeared to focus solely on advertising activities, but the application actually included a request to affirm their position as our management company. This was not just about advertisements—it was an attempt to restrict all of NJZ’s entertainment activities. This makes it clear that ADOR’s ultimate goal is to completely block NJZ from continuing our career. Furthermore, on February 11, 2025, ADOR expanded the scope of their injunction request, asking not only to ban NJZ from advertising activities but also to prohibit all music-related activities, including songwriting, composing, performing, and singing, as well as all other associated activities.

This occurred immediately after we received reports that Chairman Bang Si-hyuk had pressured the organizers of the Complex concert. Since their attempt to cancel the concert had failed, this appears to be a retaliatory measure. Until just a few days ago, ADOR continued to state their stance on NJZ’s independent activities, yet they never disclosed that their injunction request was actually aimed at banning all of NJZ’s entertainment activities. This is a stark contrast to their approach on January 6, when they made their initial injunction request widely known.

ADOR publicly claims to be targeting only NJZ’s advertising activities or preventing confusion among fans and advertisers, but in reality, they are asking the court to ban NJZ’s entertainment career entirely. This is an attempt to violate NJZ’s right to work while also avoiding public criticism by keeping these actions hidden. Music is the essence of NJZ, and restricting it essentially denies our very existence. In the end, ADOR filed for an injunction from the start with the intention of completely blocking all of NJZ’s activities. We have endured continuous discrimination and unfair treatment within HYBE. After the Tokyo Dome fan meeting in June last year, HYBE made it clear that they would keep us from working for an extended period under the guise of giving us a long vacation.

They also made disparaging remarks to reporters in an attempt to undermine our achievements. Although we have not spoken out about it before, such efforts have persisted even after our contract was terminated and have recently intensified. Despite raising objections and lodging complaints multiple times, ADOR, even when we were under their management, failed to protect us. Instead, they aligned with HYBE and other labels, dismissing our words as false.

More importantly, none of the major activities we had expected for 2024 were carried out, causing us significant harm. Even after our contract termination, we have continued to face interference and harassment regarding advertising deals, visa issues, and more. We made numerous attempts to rectify the situation and maintain our contractual relationship with ADOR. However, ADOR ignored all of them, leaving us with no choice but to terminate the contract. Due to ADOR’s repeated and severe breaches of obligation, the trust that serves as the foundation of an exclusive contract was broken long ago. Under such circumstances, if NJZ were forced to work exclusively through ADOR, it would be impossible for us to continue our entertainment careers properly, and we would also suffer unbearable psychological distress.

ADOR is fully aware of this situation and is actively trying to block our activities through various means. The injunction and other obstructive actions are nothing more than an attempt to fundamentally halt our careers as artists. We want to make it clear that this is unilateral harassment meant to suppress us, despite our rightful termination of the contract and our efforts to continue working.

Our termination notice is based on legal principles regarding exclusive contracts and civil law, making it a standard and lawful procedure. Therefore, ADOR and certain parties claiming that our independent activities after termination are somehow illegal or improper are making false statements. The assertion that only the artist should forfeit their legally protected rights and procedures is utterly absurd. We will fully engage in the injunction proceedings and the upcoming main lawsuit, where we will once again confirm the legality of our contract termination.

We hope that no one else will have to endure the same unfair treatment we have faced. Thank you.

ADOR RESPONSE

ADOR responds to NJZ’ statement saying that they’re not trying to restrict their activities:

"ADOR chose to expand the scope of its injunction request, initially filed to maintain its status as the agency of NewJeans and to prohibit the signing of independent advertising contracts, because NewJeans have been increasing their activities, announcing the release of new songs as well as participation in large-scale overseas performances, while the injunction process is still ongoing.  This is not an attempt to restrict their activities but rather to emphasize that they should continue their entertainment career 'together with Ador' and 'in compliance with their exclusive contracts'.  As previously stated, ADOR has never pressured event organizers in any way, nor is the expansion of the injunction request a retaliatory measure.  Tomorrow in court, ADOR aims to clarify any misunderstandings held by the artists and seek a ruling affirming that ADOR remains NewJeans’ agency.”

https://m.entertain.naver.com/now/article/144/0001023389

HYBE LAWYERS