The NewJeans contract dispute entered a new phase as a Seoul court imposed severe financial penalties on the group’s members. On Thursday, the Seoul Central District Court sided with Ador, a Hybe subsidiary, in its latest legal push. The court ruled that each member must pay 1 billion won for every entertainment activity carried out without Ador’s consent. Ador filed for indirect compulsory execution, a tool to pressure noncompliant parties using financial consequences. The decision highlights growing tension over contract rights and performance restrictions in K-pop.
The court said NewJeans had ignored previous rulings by performing and releasing songs under a different group name. Judges argued that such actions violated the terms of an earlier injunction designed to block unsanctioned promotions. Any future breach, the court stated, would result in a 1 billion won fine per incident. However, the court confirmed it would not apply the order to past violations, sparing the group retroactive fines. Still, the NewJeans contract dispute now carries heightened financial risk for the five members.
This decision builds on a March injunction that already barred the group from signing individual deals without Ador’s permission. That earlier ruling supported Ador’s effort to block independent activities during the ongoing lawsuit. It reflected growing concern among labels about artists acting outside official channels. With this new decision, the court reinforced Ador’s authority and escalated the legal consequences of noncompliance. The NewJeans contract dispute has since become a central test of contractual control in K-pop.
In November, the five members claimed they had terminated their exclusive contracts with Ador over a breach of trust. Since then, they began performing independently and promoting new material without company approval. Ador swiftly responded with legal measures to stop what it called contract violations. The court’s new ruling leaves the members little room to act freely without financial consequences. Observers say the NewJeans contract dispute now raises questions about artist independence and legal enforcement.
The second court hearing in the main trial is scheduled for June 5. Until then, the members must secure Ador’s approval for any promotional or entertainment work. If they violate the ruling, the 1 billion won fine will apply each time. Industry analysts believe this case could reshape how labels structure and defend exclusive contracts. As the NewJeans contract dispute unfolds, it continues to expose power struggles within South Korea’s music industry.
