ADOR has responded to NewJeans' recent search for new stage names, claiming that the move could seriously breach their exclusive contract.
On January 23rd, ADOR shared their stance on the matter with Herald POP, addressing the controversy around the members’ contest for new stage names.
The company clarified, "ADOR maintains that the exclusive contract is valid, and we are sincerely following the legal process."
The statement continued, "We regret that the members are attempting independent entertainment activities, such as seeking new stage names before receiving legal judgment, as this could be a serious breach of contract."
The situation dates back to November 28th of last year when NewJeans held an emergency press conference.
At the time, the group announced that they were terminating their exclusive contract with ADOR, stating, "We are terminating the contract with ADOR at midnight on the 29th."
They added, "The fault lies with HYBE and ADOR, so there is no reason for us to file a lawsuit, nor do we have any reason to pay any penalty". Since then, the members have been pursuing their own independent activities.
In response, ADOR filed a lawsuit seeking confirmation of the validity of their exclusive contract with the group.
Before the court could deliver a judgment, ADOR took further legal action, requesting an injunction to prevent NewJeans from independently contacting advertisers.
They also sought a ban on the group entering into advertising contracts without ADOR's approval, maintaining that the agency's status should be upheld.
Not backing down, NewJeans' members appointed the same law firm, Sejong, as ADOR's former representative Min Hee Jin. They declared, "We will fight proudly in court to clarify ADOR’s and HYBE’s wrongdoings and bring the truth to light".
In a bold move, they also announced they would not be returning to HYBE and encouraged fans to participate in their search for new stage names that have no ties to the NewJeans brand.
Source: [1]
