Ador is taking legal action against K-Pop stars

Chart-topping K-pop band NewJeans may be banned from signing advertising deals and other contracts, after their record label filed an injunction against them.

The band members are currently locked in a heated dispute with Ador, the entertainment company that formed their group in 2022.

Last November, the group claimed their contracts were invalid, due to what they claimed was a pattern of bullying, harassment and subterfuge at the company. Adore, which denied the allegations, filed a lawsuit to uphold its contracts.

The company is now accusing NewJeans of trying to sign independent deals without its approval, and has taken further legal action in Seoul, South Korea.

“This decision was made to prevent confusion and potential harm to third parties, including advertisers,” Ador explained in a statement.

The agency also warned that there could be broader repercussions for South Korea's lucrative music industry if NewJeans' actions are not checked.

“Allowing exclusive contracts and independent activities to be unilaterally terminated without due process could undermine investment in the entertainment industry and destabilize the K-pop sector,” Ador said in the injunction request, according to Yonhap News Agency.

NewJeans are considered one of the brightest new bands in K-pop, thanks to their playful blend of '90s R&B and sugar-coated pop melodies.

In 2023, they were the eighth biggest-selling act in the world. Last year, they received a nomination for Best Group at the MTV Awards.

But their relationship with Ador soured after parent company Hybe forced their mentor Min Hee-Jin to leave the business.

The band issued an ultimatum demanding Min's return. When Hybe refused, the group announced a number of complaints against the company, including a claim that Hybe had intentionally undermined their careers.

At a press conference last November, the five members — Minji, Hani, Daniel, Hyerin, and Hyen — announced their departure from the company, saying that Hyebi and Adore had lost the right to represent them as artists.

They later filed court papers requesting legal separation from the agency, but the case has not yet been heard.

Ador says the band's contract, which runs until 2027, should be kept.

The company has already finalized a schedule for the quintet's next 12 months, which includes releasing a new album and hosting fan conventions, among other activities.

However, the band members continued to assert their independence, and created a new Instagram account under the name “jeanzforfree“, where they have been hosting regular live broadcasts with fans.

The band says they will fight to preserve their name and career, and will remain “NewJeans at heart” even if they lose that battle.

This isn't the first time a K-pop group has tried to terminate a contract.

Popular bands TVXQ and Fifty Fifty have taken their labels to court – but the cases have had mixed results, and both bands have seen their lineups change as a result.

The biggest problem facing NewJeans is that their case against Ador could take two or three years to settle if it goes to trial. During that period, they are unlikely to be able to record or promote new music, unless projects are created in conjunction with the label.

If the court ultimately finds that Hype was wrong, the members will be able to leave – and perhaps they can even keep the band name.

But if the decision goes against the band, they could face a financial penalty.

In October, K-pop news site Koreaboo appreciates Members will have to pay about 300 billion South Korean won (about £170 million) to withdraw from their contract early.