ADORE’s win stands as members miss appeal deadline.

Five members of NewJeans—Minji, Daniel, Hani, Harin, and Haerin—did not file an appeal by the deadline after the first-instance ruling that affirmed ADORE’s contract with the group as valid. The Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division 41, presided by Judge Jung Hoe-il, ruled on October 30 that the contract between ADORE and NewJeans, signed on April 21, 2022, remains valid. By midnight on the appeal deadline, the five members had not submitted an appeal, according to reports on November 14.

Though the group initially signaled an appeal through their legal counsel, on November 12 all five members declared their intent to return to ADORE. With the deadline for filing an appeal having passed, the court’s ruling is effectively upheld and ADORE’s win stands.

ADORE said it was coordinating individual meeting schedules with the members and would do its best to facilitate discussions toward a full-group return.

Previously, NewJeans announced they were terminating the contract in November last year due to alleged breaches by ADORE, and ADORE filed a provisional injunction to restrict the members’ solo activities before the main judgment.

The court granted ADORE’s injunction request, resulting in a hiatus for NewJeans of about a year.