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South Korea’s famous K-pop group NewJeans has lost a court case against its own agency, Ador, after trying to end their contract early.

A court in Seoul ruled that NewJeans’ contract with Ador — which runs until 2029 — is still valid. The five members, Hanni, Hyein, Haerin, Danielle, and Minji, had accused the label of mistreatment and manipulation, but the judges rejected their claims.

The group said it is “impossible to return to Ador” and plans to appeal the decision.

NewJeans had argued that the firing of Min Hee-jin, their former CEO and mentor, broke their trust with the company. But the court disagreed, saying her dismissal did not violate the members’ contracts.

After the verdict, Ador said it hoped the artists would “reflect calmly” and added that it was ready to support the group’s upcoming music projects, including a new album.

This legal battle has shocked South Korea’s entertainment industry, where record labels usually hold strong control over artists. It’s rare for K-pop idols to challenge their agencies publicly.

Formed in 2022, NewJeans became one of the fastest-rising K-pop groups. Their debut single “Attention” topped charts, and later hits like “Super Shy” earned them international fame, appearing on Rolling Stone, Billboard, and NME’s best songs lists of 2023.

The dispute began in 2024, when Ador’s parent company Hybe (home to BTS and Seventeen) accused Min Hee-jin of trying to break away from the label. She denied it, but was fired later that year.

NewJeans sided with Min, demanding her return and accusing Ador of harming their careers. When Hybe refused, the group tried to rebrand as NJZ, but a court order stopped their promotions.

They briefly performed under the new name in Hong Kong before announcing a hiatus.

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