ADOR prevails in the high-profile exclusive-contract dispute between NewJeans and ADOR

In the first instance of the legal dispute over the termination of the exclusive contract between NewJeans and Ador, Ador secured a complete victory. The Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division 41 ruled that the exclusive contract remains valid, finding that NewJeans’ termination notice had no effect and that Ador retained management rights. The court also noted grounds involving the removal of Min Hee-jin, the producer who worked on NewJeans, from the CEO post and allegations of internal audits, but concluded these did not undermine the contract.

NewJeans said they would immediately appeal the ruling, signaling they will challenge the decision. The court’s ruling thus upholds Ador’s management status and the contract’s validity in this dispute.