Female band and K-pop sensation NewJeans, now performing under the name NJZ, has hit a major legal roadblock in its ongoing battle with former agency ADOR—a development that legal analysts view as a troubling sign ahead of an expected courtroom showdown.
In a recent ruling, the Seoul Central District Court announced that each member of the group could be fined 1 billion won (approximately $725,000) for every entertainment activity conducted without ADOR's prior approval, starting from the moment they officially receive the court's decision.
The court found that the members breached the terms of an injunction by continuing to perform under a new group name and releasing songs both before and after the initial ruling.
However, the court clarified that the penalties will not be applied retroactively, which spares the five NJZ members from financial consequences for activities they undertook following their unilateral contract termination in November 2024—at least up to this point.
"Since NewJeans violated the obligations set by the injunction by presenting themselves under a new group name and even releasing new songs before and after the ruling, it is necessary to impose indirect compulsory enforcement to ensure compliance with the order," the court stated.
"If the debtors violate these obligations from the date they receive the official copy of this decision, they must pay 1 billion won per violation to the creditor," the ruling concluded.
This latest twist deepens the high-profile legal feud between the globally recognized girl group and the executives who helped launch their meteoric rise. The stakes are mounting just as the dispute heads into a crucial phase that could determine the group's future identity—and financial survival.
In March 2025, the same court had already ruled in favor of ADOR in a preliminary injunction prohibiting NJZ from signing individual endorsement or entertainment contracts outside the agency's scope. Until a verdict is issued in the main trial on the validity of the exclusive contracts, the members are prohibited from participating in any entertainment-related activities without ADOR's prior approval, said the ruling, which has crippled the band's ability to perform or find sponsors.
The legal dispute escalated after NJZ performed at the ComplexCon festival in Hong Kong in March, where they performed a new song titled "Pit Stop" and announced an indefinite hiatus. ADOR deemed this performance a violation of the injunction.
The second hearing of the main trial to determine the validity of the exclusive contracts between NJZ and ADOR will be held on June 5th. This case has garnered public attention due to NJZ's popularity and the rarity of a K-pop group openly challenging its agency.
Meanwhile, the members of NJZ have expressed their commitment to their personal values and their desire to continue their musical careers independently, although they respect the current court rulings. The outcome of the trial could set a precedent in the K-pop industry regarding artists' rights and their relationships with their agencies.
