In a decisive ruling on March 21, 2025, a South Korean court has prevented K-pop group NJZ, previously known as NewJeans, from pursuing independent commercial activities, thereby siding with their record label, Ador, amidst an ongoing feud.
South Korean Court Rules Against K-pop Group NJZ in Label Dispute
South Korean Court Rules Against K-pop Group NJZ in Label Dispute
Seoul's legal system upholds Ador's management rights over the controversial girl group.
The Seoul Central District Court granted an injunction against NJZ's attempts to sever ties with Ador, blocking the members from any self-directed business ventures without the label’s approval. This decision follows the band's announcement of a split last November when they accused Ador of ill-treatment, prompting the label to assert its contract rights through legal action.
The NJZ group plans to appeal the ruling, expressing disappointment that the court did not fully recognize the deteriorated trust towards Ador. “We believe that the decision failed to account for our experiences,” they stated. Ador, on their part, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, affirming their role as the group's exclusive management and indicating readiness for discussions with the members.
Scheduled to appear at the ComplexCon festival in Hong Kong this weekend, the conflict draws particular interest due to its origins in leadership changes within Ador's parent company, Hybe, which oversees major acts like BTS. Tensions escalated after the band demanded the reinstatement of executive producer Min Hee-Jin, following her replacement by Hybe.
As the K-pop landscape continues to evolve, the outcome of this ongoing dispute could have lasting implications for all parties involved.
The NJZ group plans to appeal the ruling, expressing disappointment that the court did not fully recognize the deteriorated trust towards Ador. “We believe that the decision failed to account for our experiences,” they stated. Ador, on their part, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, affirming their role as the group's exclusive management and indicating readiness for discussions with the members.
Scheduled to appear at the ComplexCon festival in Hong Kong this weekend, the conflict draws particular interest due to its origins in leadership changes within Ador's parent company, Hybe, which oversees major acts like BTS. Tensions escalated after the band demanded the reinstatement of executive producer Min Hee-Jin, following her replacement by Hybe.
As the K-pop landscape continues to evolve, the outcome of this ongoing dispute could have lasting implications for all parties involved.
