NewJeans, the South Korean K-pop group, announced a hiatus after the court's ruling restricts their ability to perform or produce music while disputing their record label Ador.
NewJeans to Pause Activities Following Court Ruling Against Record Label
NewJeans to Pause Activities Following Court Ruling Against Record Label
The K-pop sensation takes a break after a setback in their legal battle.
In a significant development, South Korean K-pop group NewJeans has declared a pause on all their activities following an unfavorable court ruling concerning a dispute with their record label, Ador. The quintet made this announcement during a standout performance at ComplexCon in Hong Kong, stating, "this will be our last performance for a little while," shortly after unveiling their latest track, "Pit Stop".
The recent court ruling, issued on Friday, prohibits the group from conducting their own performances, creating music, or entering into advertising contracts amid their legal confrontation with Ador. NewJeans are striving to sever ties with the label due to allegations of mistreatment, and they have expressed intentions to contest the court’s ruling.
The conflict dates back to August 2024, when the parent company, Hybe, allegedly dismissed their mentor, Min Hee-Jin. Following this event, the group issued an ultimatum calling for Min's reinstatement. When Hybe declined, NewJeans publicly voiced several grievances against the label, claiming it intentionally sabotaged their career progression. Among those grievances, member Hanni shared experiences of workplace harassment related to the label's management.
In a November press conference, NewJeans announced their desire to part ways with Ador, indicating that Hybe lost the right to represent them. According to the Seoul court ruling, the artists did not provide adequate evidence demonstrating that Ador violated their contractual responsibilities, while asserting that the label has met many of its obligations, including financial compensation.
As a result of the ruling, NewJeans now faces challenges in rebranding themselves as NJZ without incurring substantial financial penalties due to breach of contract. Their concert in Hong Kong marked their first public appearance since the court's judgment.
In an emotional address to their fans, Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Heyin conveyed the significance of their performance and expressed the emotions behind their planned hiatus. "This is a hard decision for us, but necessary in our current situation," they remarked. "We believe in protecting ourselves to come back stronger."
Moreover, the group emphasized the importance of standing up for their values and rights, and they do not regret their choices. The concert, attended by over 11,000 fans, was performed under the new name, NJZ, seemingly in defiance of the court's restrictions.
In a subsequent statement, Ador expressed regret over the band's decision to perform under an alternate name and announced their commitment to supporting NewJeans in line with the terms of their contract. They hope to engage with the artists soon to discuss future steps.
NewJeans have emerged as a promising force in K-Pop, recognized as one of the highest-selling acts globally as of 2023. The ongoing legal battle poses uncertainty for the group, but they remain resolute in their principles.
The recent court ruling, issued on Friday, prohibits the group from conducting their own performances, creating music, or entering into advertising contracts amid their legal confrontation with Ador. NewJeans are striving to sever ties with the label due to allegations of mistreatment, and they have expressed intentions to contest the court’s ruling.
The conflict dates back to August 2024, when the parent company, Hybe, allegedly dismissed their mentor, Min Hee-Jin. Following this event, the group issued an ultimatum calling for Min's reinstatement. When Hybe declined, NewJeans publicly voiced several grievances against the label, claiming it intentionally sabotaged their career progression. Among those grievances, member Hanni shared experiences of workplace harassment related to the label's management.
In a November press conference, NewJeans announced their desire to part ways with Ador, indicating that Hybe lost the right to represent them. According to the Seoul court ruling, the artists did not provide adequate evidence demonstrating that Ador violated their contractual responsibilities, while asserting that the label has met many of its obligations, including financial compensation.
As a result of the ruling, NewJeans now faces challenges in rebranding themselves as NJZ without incurring substantial financial penalties due to breach of contract. Their concert in Hong Kong marked their first public appearance since the court's judgment.
In an emotional address to their fans, Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Heyin conveyed the significance of their performance and expressed the emotions behind their planned hiatus. "This is a hard decision for us, but necessary in our current situation," they remarked. "We believe in protecting ourselves to come back stronger."
Moreover, the group emphasized the importance of standing up for their values and rights, and they do not regret their choices. The concert, attended by over 11,000 fans, was performed under the new name, NJZ, seemingly in defiance of the court's restrictions.
In a subsequent statement, Ador expressed regret over the band's decision to perform under an alternate name and announced their commitment to supporting NewJeans in line with the terms of their contract. They hope to engage with the artists soon to discuss future steps.
NewJeans have emerged as a promising force in K-Pop, recognized as one of the highest-selling acts globally as of 2023. The ongoing legal battle poses uncertainty for the group, but they remain resolute in their principles.
