K-pop group’s efforts to rebrand as NJZ hit with another setback as Seoul high court sides with label HYBE and subsidiary ADOR
NewJeans have hit another setback in their effort to relaunch as NJZ as a South Korean court ruled that the K-pop group must honor their contract with record giant HYBE and its subsidiary ADOR.
The court’s decision Tuesday reaffirms its ruling from back in March that disallowed NewJeans from rebranding as NJZ and pursuing independent activities, as well as rejected the group’s appeal that attempted to overturn their previous ruling, Billboard reports.
NewJeans/NJZ announced their decision to leave ADOR last year and revealed their new name in February 2025; the group was in the midst of a seven-year exclusive contract with ADOR when they announced their plans to exit the label.
The K-pop group previously argued to the court that the departure of former ADOR CEO Min Hee-Jin — with whom they signed their contract — as well as feeling neglected and unsupported by the label were grounds to leave the HYBE subsidiary. They also accused the label of misconduct and mistreatment.
However, the Seoul high court responded by saying Min Hee-Jin’s employment at ADOR was not stipulated in NewJeans’ contract, nor had the group presented any evidence that the label’s new hierarchy were treating them unfairly; if anything, NewJeans’ refusal to honor their contract was hurting them more than their label, the judges reasoned.
“Yesterday, there was a ruling in the appeals hearing that once again clearly confirmed that ADOR is the agency of NewJeans. We express our deep gratitude to the court for its judgment,” ADOR said in a statement Wednesday.
“We hope that this decision will serve as an opportunity for the members to return to where they belong as NewJeans and resume their activities. As NewJeans approaches their third debut anniversary next month, the company will do its utmost to support them so they can achieve even greater growth and progress.”
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NewJeans has not yet commented on the court’s latest ruling.
Despite the legal drama, the group took the stage in March as NJZ at Hong Kong’s ComplexCon, which they noted “might be our last performance for a little while” amid the injunction to cease operating as NJZ and fulfill their NewJeans contract.
