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ADOR, the label under HYBE, has moved to block NewJeans' independent activities following the group's announcement of terminating their exclusive contract.

On January 13th, ADOR stated, "We have filed for an injunction with the Seoul Central District Court to prevent NewJeans members from entering into independent advertising contracts and to protect our position as their agency."

Considering that a final ruling on the lawsuit regarding the validity of the exclusive contract, which was filed on December 3rd, 2024, could take considerable time, ADOR aims to prevent any potential confusion that may arise during this period by filing for an injunction.

ADOR explained that the injunction was necessary to stop NewJeans members from continuing attempts to independently negotiate with advertisers despite unilaterally declaring the termination of their exclusive contracts. This could cause confusion and harm to third parties like advertisers.

The agency emphasized that the decision reflects its desire to work together with the NewJeans members, and they argued that the ongoing confusion in the market due to the members' independent actions could lead to a decline in the brand value of NewJeans, the agency's only artist. This could ultimately lead to ADOR losing its competitive edge and facing a management crisis. Even if a ruling confirms the validity of the exclusive contract in the future, it might be too late to restore the situation.

ADOR also appealed to the court, stating, "This legal process should serve as an opportunity to correct any wrong judgments or actions before legal responsibility expands uncontrollably." The agency further conveyed concerns shared by the industry, arguing that if independent entertainment activities become a precedent without following proper legal procedures, it would harm investor confidence in the entertainment industry and have a detrimental effect on the K-pop industry as a whole.

Finally, ADOR assured that they would continue to support NewJeans' activities by providing all necessary resources and facilities, and added that they were receiving offers for advertisements and events. The agency has already planned this year's activities, including a regular album release and fan meetings, and expressed a desire for continued communication with the members.

In late November of last year, NewJeans held an emergency press conference to announce their unilateral termination of the exclusive contract with ADOR. The group stated they would complete the scheduled activities as planned. Their official schedule ended after attending the 39th Golden Disc Awards in Fukuoka, Japan, on January 4th.