NewJeans on the brink of disbandment? New ruling leaves group's future uncertain

On June 17, according to SPOTV News, the Seoul High Court officially rejected the appeal of NewJeans members regarding the temporary ban, thereby strengthening the management company ADOR 's comprehensive management rights over the group.

This latest ruling puts the famous girl group in a passive position, unable to freely participate in private activities or sign advertising contracts without the company's consent.

Previously, the Seoul Central District Court issued a provisional ruling in favor of ADOR, prohibiting NewJeans members from negotiating or signing individual contracts without the company’s approval. Immediately after, the group’s legal representative urgently filed a complaint in the hope of reversing the situation. However, the glimmer of hope was quickly extinguished when the Seoul High Court – specifically the 25-2 Civil Affairs Division – upheld the original decision, continuing to give ADOR full control in this tense legal dispute.

This development is seen as a heavy blow to NewJeans' efforts to gain autonomy, in the context of increasingly tense conflicts between the group and ADOR's leadership. Since the beginning of 2025, the wave of members' dissatisfaction with the company's management has been revealed many times through indirect actions. There are many rumors that the group is looking for a way to escape the "golden cage" of ADOR - the unit currently founded and operated by Min Hee Jin, who is also directly responsible for the success of NewJeans.

In a recent court hearing regarding the lawsuit to confirm the validity of the exclusive contract, the legal representative of the NewJeans members made a strong statement: "The relationship of trust between us and ADOR has completely collapsed. It is a bridge we cannot go back on." More than just a legal excuse, this statement is seen as a firm affirmation of the group's desire to leave, despite the tight contractual and legal constraints in place.

The current situation has left NewJeans in a dilemma. Despite being one of the top girl groups in Kpop with huge appeal, they are stuck in a legal maze, unable to freely carry out promotional activities or personal projects. The latest court ruling has almost "frozen" the group's schedule, at the same time sowing a lot of doubt about their future in the eyes of fans and collaborating brands.

Many industry experts believe that the legal dispute between NewJeans and ADOR could become an important milestone in the history of the Korean entertainment industry. In a context where more and more young artists are eager to escape the strict traditional management model in search of creative freedom and control over their careers, this battle is not simply a contract dispute – but a test for the future of the relationship between artists and management companies. This is seen as a wake-up call for both sides: artists about the legal constraints that need to be cautious, and management companies about how to adapt to a new generation of artists who are more independent and vocal than ever.

However, in the current situation, the door to freedom remains closed to NewJeans. Although their desire to escape ADOR’s control is increasingly evident, the group is still tied up in a complex legal siege. Will they continue to persevere in pursuing a risky and costly legal journey, or will they be forced to retreat and return to the negotiating table with a company they have publicly lost faith in?

The future of NewJeans is now a big question mark not only for fans, but also for industry experts and business partners. One thing is clear: the confrontation between the independent will of artists and the controlling power of management companies is a battle that has no end in sight – and may write a new chapter in the future of the Korean entertainment industry.

NewJeans Breaks Up With HYBE: The Truth Behind Min Hee Jin's "Power Struggle" Mimi07:40:06 14/06/2025After internal turmoil related to the group NewJeans, ADOR suddenly announced a new strategy by organizing a global boy band audition, marking a strong shift in its efforts to reaffirm its position on the K-pop map.