Ador Files Lawsuit Against Former NewJeans Member and CEO: Inside the Legal Battle and Future Uncertainty
Ador has initiated legal action against former NewJeans member Danielle Marsh, her family member, and former CEO Min Hee Jin, seeking £22.1m in damages. The lawsuit was filed after Ador terminated Danielle's exclusive contract. NewJeans, a popular K-pop group managed by Ador, faced conflict with the agency last year when they attempted to rebrand as NJZ and go independent. The dispute escalated, leading to a court ruling in Ador's favor, confirming the validity of the members' exclusive contracts until 2029.
Following extensive discussions, Ador decided to terminate Danielle's contract and pursue legal action against her, as well as Min and a member of Danielle's family. Ador claimed that Danielle breached her contract by entering into conflicting arrangements and failing to resolve the issues within the given timeframe. The label also mentioned that the members had been exposed to biased information, leading to misunderstandings about the company and the dispute.
Fans of NewJeans were disappointed by the news, hoping for a reunion of the original five-member group. Despite the setbacks, Haerin and Hyein decided to continue their activities with Ador, while the remaining members, including Hanni, returned to the label. Hanni engaged in discussions with Ador and chose to stay, while Minji's status with the label remained unresolved at the time of the announcement.
Ador's statement clarified that Hanni would continue with the label after discussions, while Minji was still in talks with Ador to enhance mutual understanding. The ongoing legal battle and internal conflicts have created uncertainty about the future of NewJeans and the relationships between the members and the agency.