The dispute between NewJeans and Adore centers on the validity of an exclusive contract, with the first ruling due on the 30th. The case draws attention as Min Hee-jin, once described as a genius director, led NewJeans, a top act of the fourth generation, in a challenge against HYBE, the industry’s dominant company. NewJeans debuted in July 2022 and quickly sparked trends with easy-listening sounds and the Y2K aesthetic.

In April last year, HYBE dismissed Min Hee-jin as Adore’s chief executive. Following that, the group’s members said trust had broken with the new management and pursued independent activities under NJZ. Adore filed an exclusive-contract validity suit and sought a provisional injunction to restrict the members from pursuing activities. In March, the court granted the injunction, temporarily blocking the group’s activities.

Following the dispute over Min Hee-jin’s dismissal, HYBE held a board meeting and appointed Kim Ju-young as Adore’s new CEO. In November 2024, NewJeans held an emergency press conference to announce the termination of the exclusive contract with Adore. When Min Hee-jin was dismissed as Adore CEO, NewJeans stepped to the fore.