NewJeans (NJZ) is in a legal dispute with their agency Ador (a HYBE subsidiary) over their exclusive contract. A Seoul court ruling on October 29–30, 2025 upheld the validity of the contract and ordered the group to remain with Ador until 2029, rejecting several of NJZ’s key termination grounds. Hybe’s stake in Ador and related market moves followed the decision. Key points
- Court outcome: The exclusive contract between NewJeans and Ador remains intact through 2029. Grounds NJZ had cited for terminating or challenging the contract were not upheld by the court. [news:web results around 2025-10-29]
- NJZ’s position: The group argued a “breakdown of trust” and sought freedom to pursue activities independently, but the court found insufficient evidence that Ador’s actions violated the contract or justified termination.
- Aftermath and implications: The ruling effectively halts NJZ’s rebranding efforts and independent activity plans pending further legal action, while Hybe’s market impact and corporate dynamics influenced public interpretation of the dispute.
- Public statements: Ador and Hybe framed the decision as adherence to contractual terms and due process, while NJZ indicated intention to appeal and continue pursuing their work within the legal framework.
If you’d like, I can pull up concise, dated summaries from specific outlets or provide a brief timeline of the legal filings and court rulings as they happened.
