NewJeans have officially filed an appeal against a court ruling that currently restricts their independent activities outside of ADOR. The legal dispute over their exclusive contract has escalated, now featuring a team of notable legal experts, including former judges, representing both sides.
The stakes are high for the popular girl group, as they’ve paused all activities following the rejection of their objection to the injunction. This ongoing legal battle is rapidly shaping up to be what some are calling the “battle of the century.”
On May 21, the appeal regarding the members’ challenge to the injunction was officially assigned to the Civil Division 25 of the Seoul High Court. The judges overseeing the case are Hwang Byung Ha, Jung Jong Kwan, and Lee Kyun Yong.
NewJeans have strengthened their legal team by bringing on Park Hyung Nam from the law firm Wooseung (Kim, Park & You). A seasoned attorney and former director of the Judicial Policy Research Institute, Park is a prominent figure in legal circles. He began his career as a judge at the Seoul District Court and eventually served as a senior judge at the Seoul High Court. Having retired in February 2023, he now adds significant weight to NewJeans’ roster, which already includes 14 attorneys, among them Lee Won from Sejong (Shin & Kim).
In response, ADOR has also ramped up its legal defense. The agency recently recruited former Constitutional Court justice Kang Il Won and attorney Chun Ji Sung, the daughter of former Justice Minister Chun Jung Bae. ADOR’s legal team, which previously included former High Court judge Hong Seung Myeon, now boasts 13 lawyers ready to take on this high-stakes battle.
As legal professionals keenly observe this showdown, many speculate that the expertise of these top-tier attorneys could tip the scales in favor of either party.
The plight of NewJeans began last November when the members sought to engage in independent activities, citing alleged breaches in their contracts with ADOR. The agency countered with a lawsuit to uphold the validity of the contracts, seeking an injunction to prevent the group from pursuing solo endeavors that could undermine ADOR’s position.
On March 21, the Civil Division 50 of the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of ADOR, allowing the injunction that restricts NewJeans from signing advertising contracts independently. The ruling underscores that the court found insufficient evidence of significant contract violations by ADOR, stating that mutual trust had not been irreparably damaged.
After their objection to the injunction was rejected, NewJeans promptly filed an appeal. As it stands, all group activities are currently on hold as the legal battle unfolds.
