SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – The Seoul Central District Court on Thursday, October 30, 2025, ruled that the exclusive contract between chart-topping K-pop group NewJeans and their agency ADOR remains valid, delivering a significant blow to the members' year-long effort to gain independence. The verdict, which binds the five members—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—to the label until 2029, concludes a high-stakes legal battle that has captivated the global music industry and spotlighted the often-contentious power dynamics between K-pop artists and their management companies.

The court's Civil Agreement Division 41, presided over by Judge Jeong Hoe-il, rejected the group's primary argument that their trust in the agency had been irreparably broken following the dismissal of their mentor and former ADOR CEO, Min Hee-jin, in August 2024. NewJeans had contended that Min's ousting, orchestrated by ADOR's parent company HYBE Corporation, constituted a fundamental breach of their contract. However, the court found that Min's role as CEO was not a guaranteed condition of the contract and that her dismissal did not create a “management vacuum” or prove ADOR was incapable of fulfilling its duties. The ruling noted that ADOR had continued to plan for album releases and a world tour even without the group's cooperation.

The Anatomy of a Dispute

The conflict erupted publicly in November 2024 when NewJeans announced their intention to unilaterally terminate their contracts, citing mistreatment and a complete breakdown of trust. The group subsequently attempted to rebrand as 'NJZ' and pursue independent activities. In response, ADOR filed a lawsuit in December 2024 to confirm the contract's validity and successfully obtained a court injunction in March 2025 to block any unauthorized activities. This injunction carried a hefty penalty, ordering each member to pay 1 billion KRW (approximately $730,000 USD) for any violation.

Throughout the proceedings, NewJeans' legal team argued that the dismissal of Min Hee-jin, the creative force behind their meteoric rise, was an act of bad faith. The group also raised other grievances, including allegations of workplace harassment against member Hanni and claims that HYBE was attempting to sideline them in favor of another girl group, ILLIT. The court dismissed these claims as insufficient grounds for termination, stating that ADOR had taken adequate steps to investigate the harassment allegations by requesting CCTV footage from HYBE.

Reactions and Next Steps

Following the verdict, NewJeans' legal representatives from the firm Sejong announced their intention to appeal immediately. In a statement released on Thursday, they said, “While the members respect the court's decision, it is impossible to return to ADOR and continue normal entertainment activities under the current circumstances, where trust between the parties has completely broken down.” The group also expressed gratitude to their fans for their unwavering support.

Conversely, ADOR and its parent company HYBE welcomed the court's decision. ADOR released a statement expressing hope that the ruling would “serve as an opportunity for the artists to calmly reflect on this matter.” The agency confirmed it has completed preparations for a new album and is ready to resume the group's activities, stating, “We will do our best to return to the fans' side through discussions with the artists.” The ruling caused HYBE's stock to rise over 7 percent, signaling investor confidence in the decision.

Global Impact and Kenyan Context

The NewJeans case is seen as a landmark for the K-pop industry, setting a precedent on whether a “breakdown of trust” can legally justify terminating the notoriously rigid contracts that bind artists to agencies for many years. The outcome reinforces the legal power of management agencies in such disputes, a topic of ongoing debate among fans and industry watchdogs worldwide.

While the legal battle unfolded thousands of miles away in Seoul, its outcome resonates in markets like Kenya, where K-pop has become a significant cultural force, particularly among the youth. According to Spotify data from 2022, Kenya is one of the top three consumers of K-pop in Africa, with streaming numbers growing by 140% that year. Groups like NewJeans, BTS, and Blackpink have cultivated substantial and passionate fan bases, known as 'fandoms', in cities like Nairobi. These communities organize listening parties, dance covers, and cultural events, demonstrating the genre's deep integration into the local pop culture landscape. For these Kenyan fans, the NewJeans verdict is more than a distant celebrity lawsuit; it is a closely watched drama that affects beloved artists and raises critical questions about fairness and creative freedom in the global music ecosystem they actively participate in. The case highlights the complex interplay of commerce, creativity, and control that underpins a global phenomenon now firmly rooted in East Africa.