K-Pop Group Newjeans Appoints Legal Representation
K-Pop Group Newjeans has appointed SHIN & KIM LLC, a law firm, to represent them in their escalating legal struggle with their management company Ador and its parent company, Hybe.
Ongoing Contract Disputes
A group of five people announced on Thursday (January 23) that they have no plans to return to Ador amid ongoing disputes regarding their contract. This announcement followed Ador’s claims in December 2024, aimed at affirming the validity of their exclusive contract with the group, and the subsequent lawsuit filed earlier this month to prevent the signing of external advertising contracts.
“Given that Ador and Hybe appointed Law Firm KIM & CHANG as their representative, we felt the need for a law firm that could effectively resist this. We believe Shin & Kim LLC is the most suitable choice, as they already understand the misconduct and problems of Hybe and Ador, which is crucial for responding to the rapidly evolving judicial ban,” the group stated in a statement released through local media.
Notably, Shin & Kim LLC also represents the former general director of Ador and the producer in Newjeans, Min Hee-Jin.
The members of Newjeans—Minji, Hannie, Daniel, Harin, and Hayin—previously announced their intention to terminate their contracts with Ador in November. “Staying with the agency will only prolong our psychological pain and waste our time,” Hannie was quoted in Korea Joongang Daily at that time.
“Instead of using cowardly methods to humiliate and divide us behind closed doors and manipulating the media with false information, we would like them to address these issues honestly and fairly.”
Newjeans
In their latest statement, the group claims that “Hybe and Ador could not fulfill their responsibilities as an agency in protecting and developing their artists.”
According to Newjeans, Ador and Hybe failed to meet their primary management obligations and attempted to sidestep the group under the pretense of an “extended vacation.” The group has also accused the companies of orchestrating a negative media campaign against them.
“Even after the legal termination of our exclusive contract, unreasonable criticism surfaced through media channels and YouTube, much of which contained information that could only have originated from Ador and Hybe. We cannot help but conclude that Ador and Hybe are at the center of all these issues,” Newjeans stated.
Additionally, Newjeans argued that while Ador publicly calls for their return, the agency has engaged in behind-the-scenes tactics, attempting to “pursue and attack them,” including secret meetings with the parents of members in alleged attempts to create division within the group.
“Instead of using cowardly methods to humiliate and divide us behind closed doors and manipulating the media with false information, we would like them to solve these issues honestly and fairly,” the members reiterated.
They confirmed that “they absolutely have no intentions of returning to Hybe and Ador.”
“We will proudly fight in court through a trial to clearly reveal the misconduct of Ador and Hybe and make the truth known.”
“We will proudly fight in court through a trial to clearly reveal the misconduct of Ador and Hybe and make the truth known.”
Newjeans
The group has indicated their intention to move forward independently, separately announcing that they welcome proposals for forming a new group. This announcement garnered significant engagement from fans, attracting 16,000 comments from their fan base, known as Rabbits, within the first hour, according to Korea Herald.
K-pop group NewJeans hires law firm, plans name change as HYBE dispute escalates
