NewJeans and ADOR will return to the negotiation table after failing to resolve their dispute in the first mediation session. The Seoul Central District Court has scheduled a second mediation for September 11.
The court's Civil Division 41 held a closed-door mediation on August 14 for ADOR's lawsuit seeking confirmation of the validity of NewJeans' exclusive contract. Members Minji and Danielle arrived at the courthouse in neat attire, greeting fans with smiles but remaining silent when asked about the possibility of a settlement. Danielle responded briefly with, "I'm sorry."
Dispute Over Contract Validity
The court had requested NewJeans' personal attendance to directly hear from the members and ADOR in hopes of facilitating a resolution. The mediation lasted about 1 hour and 20 minutes, with a short recess, but ended without a public statement from either side. Sources suggest the court strongly encouraged further mediation, maintaining strict confidentiality.
The conflict began on November 28 last year when NewJeans announced their intent to leave ADOR and operate independently. The following day, they declared their exclusive contract terminated. In response, ADOR filed a lawsuit in December to confirm the contract's validity and later requested an injunction to block the group's independent activities until a ruling.
Ongoing Legal Battle
In March, the court granted ADOR's injunction, ruling that NewJeans could not work without ADOR's prior approval. NewJeans' appeals were rejected. During the main lawsuit hearings, the group compared their situation to that of school bullying victims being told to return to the same environment, refusing to go back to ADOR or HYBE.
ADOR argued there was no just cause for termination, citing continued opportunities and proper profit settlements. They also claimed that ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin was behind the contract dispute, while NewJeans' side alleged HYBE's retaliatory audit of Min sparked the conflict.
The second mediation session between NewJeans and ADOR will take place on September 11 at 1:30 PM.
