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Issues, cross-checked · Industry & law

HYBE–ADOR–NewJeans dispute

Period
2024-04 ~ 2026-10
Where it stands
After a first-instance court upheld the exclusive contracts in October 2025, Haerin, Hyein and Hanni returned to ADOR; Danielle's contract was terminated and she is defending ADOR's damages suit. Minji's return has not been officially confirmed. Two cases involving former CEO Min Hee-jin are on appeal or awaiting a Nov. 13 first-instance ruling.
อัปเดต
2026-10-09

The dispute began in April 2024 when HYBE audited ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin and other executives, and grew from a fight over control of the label into a fight over NewJeans' exclusive contracts. NewJeans declared the contracts terminated in November 2024, but the Seoul Central District Court ruled on Oct. 30, 2025 that they remain valid. All five members then said they would return, but in December 2025 ADOR terminated Danielle's contract and sued her, a family member and Min for damages. Separately, a court ordered HYBE in February 2026 to pay Min about 25.5 billion won for her put option; HYBE appealed.

Fact Claim Disputed Rumor Not true

Issue 1: From a boardroom fight to a contract fight

The dispute began as a fight over control between HYBE and then-ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin. HYBE said Min tried to make ADOR independent and launched an audit and a criminal complaint; Min denied this. A court blocked HYBE's attempt to oust her in May 2024, but she lost the CEO post that August.

The focus shifted to the artists' contracts when the NewJeans members, after demanding Min's reinstatement, declared their contracts terminated in November 2024. In October 2025 the first-instance court held that Min's dismissal and the alleged breakdown of trust were not grounds for termination.

1,2,3

Issue 2: After the return — the Danielle suit

All five members said they would return after the ruling, but the outcomes split. ADOR confirmed the return of Haerin, Hyein and Hanni, terminated Danielle's contract saying she had not cured breaches, and said only that talks with Minji were continuing.

ADOR claims Danielle, a family member and Min are liable for the group's departure and delayed return. The claim started at about 43.1 billion won and was cut to about 33.1 billion won in June 2026. In court ADOR has pointed to Danielle's individual collaborations and endorsements and to an alleged double contract involving a Chinese-backed company; her side says the activities involved all members and that she alone was targeted. At the September hearing the central fight was over how to estimate what NewJeans would have earned had it kept working.

5,6,7,10,11,12,13,14

Issue 3: HYBE vs. Min — the put option

Min exercised her right under the shareholder agreement to sell her stake back to HYBE (a put option); HYBE argued the agreement had already been terminated because of her breaches. The first-instance court acknowledged that Min had explored ways to make ADOR independent but held that this alone was not a material breach, and ordered payment of about 25.5 billion won (outlets variously report 25.5 or 25.6 billion).

HYBE appealed and posted a deposit to stay enforcement, so the money has not been paid. The appeal is before the Seoul High Court.

8,9,15

Issue 4: Belift Lab vs. Min — the ILLIT 'copy' suit

At an April 2024 press conference Min said ILLIT, a group under HYBE's Belift Lab, copied NewJeans. Belift Lab sued her in June 2024 for 2 billion won, saying baseless claims harmed a rookie group and the company; Min countersued for 5 billion won.

Belift Lab argues Min deliberately spread the copying claim; Min's side says similarities were discussed before she spoke and that her words were professional opinion, not a legal plagiarism finding. Closing arguments ended on Sept. 11, 2026, with a ruling due Nov. 13. Reports differ on the court: Korea JoongAng Daily and others say Seoul Western District Court, while a January Korea Herald article named the Seoul Central District Court.

Separately, a 100-million-won suit by a Belift Lab creative director was dismissed on Aug. 21, 2026 and became final. The court found the plaintiff was not identified in Min's remarks; it did not rule on whether ILLIT copied NewJeans.

16,17,18,19

Timeline

  1. Fact HYBE launched an audit of ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin and other executives.1,3
  2. Claim HYBE filed a breach-of-trust complaint alleging Min tried to take control of ADOR with outside investors; Min denied it.3
  3. Fact The Seoul Central District Court barred HYBE (an 80% shareholder) from voting to remove Min at ADOR's shareholder meeting.1
  4. Fact Min was removed as ADOR CEO.7,10
  5. Fact NewJeans held a press conference declaring their contracts terminated; ADOR sued in December to confirm the contracts' validity.2
  6. Fact A court granted ADOR's injunction barring the members from independent activities without its approval, backed by an indirect-enforcement order imposing payments for violations; the members' objections and appeals were dismissed.2
  7. Fact Police closed HYBE's breach-of-trust complaint against Min without referring it to prosecutors; HYBE said it would appeal immediately.3
  8. Fact The Seoul Central District Court ruled that the contracts signed on April 21, 2022 remain valid, finding Min's dismissal alone did not amount to a breach by ADOR.2
  9. Fact ADOR announced Haerin and Hyein's return; that evening Minji, Hanni and Danielle issued a separate statement saying they would also return. ADOR said it would arrange individual meetings.4
  10. Fact ADOR confirmed Hanni's return, notified Danielle that her contract was terminated, and said talks with Minji were continuing.5,6
  11. Fact ADOR sued Danielle, one of her family members and Min for about 43.1 billion won in damages.5,7
  12. Fact The Seoul Central District Court ordered HYBE to pay Min about 25.5 billion won for her put option and rejected HYBE's claim that the shareholder agreement had been terminated.8,9
  13. Fact HYBE appealed the put-option ruling.8
  14. Claim At a press conference Min offered to forgo the payment if HYBE dropped all civil and criminal cases, including those involving NewJeans members; the appeal nonetheless proceeded.9,15
  15. Fact The court granted HYBE's request to stay enforcement; HYBE deposited about 29.25 billion won.8,9
  16. Fact The first hearing in the Danielle damages suit was held.7
  17. Fact ADOR was reported to have cut its claim to about 33.1 billion won after changing its legal team.10
  18. Disputed At the third hearing ADOR argued Danielle pursued solo work and failed to cooperate over a double contract with a Chinese-backed company; her side called it selective targeting and denied any double contract.11,12,13
  19. Fact At the fifth hearing Danielle's side demanded ADOR's actual activity plans; ADOR cited trade secrets in appraisal materials. The court proposed redacted review by Danielle's accountant.14
  20. Fact Closing arguments ended in Belift Lab's 2-billion-won damages suit against Min; a ruling is set for Nov. 13.17,18
  21. Fact Date set for the first appellate hearing in the put-option case at the Seoul High Court, consolidated with HYBE's shareholder-agreement suit.15

What people say — checked

Not trueA court recognized NewJeans' contract termination.

The Oct. 30, 2025 first-instance ruling held the contracts valid; the members then said they would return.2,4

Not trueMin Hee-jin was convicted of breach of trust.

Police closed HYBE's complaint without referral in July 2025. HYBE said it would appeal; the sources reviewed here report no indictment or verdict.3

Not trueMin has already received the 25.5 billion won.

HYBE appealed and posted a deposit to stay enforcement; the appeal is pending.8,9,15

DisputedDanielle signed a double contract with a Chinese-backed company.

This is ADOR's allegation in court. Danielle's side denies any double contract and says it concerned a third party's proposal to buy HYBE's ADOR stake. No ruling yet.11,12

Not trueADOR is seeking 43 billion won from Danielle's side.

The original claim was about 43.1 billion won, but it was reduced to about 33.1 billion won in June 2026.10,12

DisputedA court has ruled on whether ILLIT copied NewJeans.

The main Belift Lab ruling is due Nov. 13. The director's suit was dismissed in August because the plaintiff was not identified, not on the copying question.17,18,19

Why it's an issue

บทความที่เกี่ยวข้อง

นิวจีนส์ ไฮบ์ ไอลิท แดเนียล จูน มาร์ช ฮันนี แฮริน เคป็อป

Sources

  1. press Music Business Worldwide, HYBE can't remove NewJeans label CEO Min Hee-jin… for now, 2024-05-31
  2. press Korea JoongAng Daily, Seoul court rules in favor of ADOR in NewJeans contract dispute, 2025-10-30
  3. press Korea JoongAng Daily, HYBE to immediately appeal decision to clear Min Hee-jin of breach of trust charges, 2025-07-15
  4. press Soompi, NewJeans' Haerin And Hyein Confirmed To Return To ADOR + Minji, Hanni, And Danielle To Discuss With Agency, 2025-11-12
  5. press KED Global, ADOR files $32 million lawsuit against NewJeans' Danielle, family member, Min Hee-jin, 2025-12-31
  6. press 스포츠경향, 'Danielle was expelled, but'… Hanni·Haerin·Hyein confirmed to return to NewJeans, 2025-12-29
  7. press The Korea Times, Trial opens for Ador's damage suit against former NewJeans member, ex-CEO, 2026-03-26
  8. press Korea JoongAng Daily, HYBE deposits $20.5M with court to secure stay of enforcement after losing civil case to Min Hee-jin, 2026-02-26
  9. press UPI, Former ADOR CEO Min offers truce with Hybe over 25.6 billion-won deal, 2026-02-25
  10. press The Korea Times, Ador reduces damages claim against ex-CEO, ex-NewJeans member by $6.5 mil., 2026-06-05
  11. press 머니투데이, 어도어 "다니엘, 이중계약 은폐" vs "돈 안 받았으니 위반 아냐", 2026-07-02
  12. press Korea JoongAng Daily, Ex-NewJeans member Danielle denies signing second contract with another agency, 2026-07-07
  13. press The Korea Times, Why only Danielle? Ador explains damages suit as NewJeans comeback rumors grow, 2026-07-04
  14. press 스타뉴스, Adore v. Danielle fifth hearing (English edition), 2026-09-10
  15. press 아주경제, 민희진-하이브 풋옵션 소송 2라운드 개막...9월 18일 항소심 진행, 2026-07-08
  16. press The Korea Herald, Belift Lab, Min Hee-jin clash over Illit plagiarism claims in fifth court hearing, 2026-01-09
  17. press Korea JoongAng Daily, Min Hee-jin asked NewJeans if she should 'scold ILLIT,' Belift Lab claims in final hearing, 2026-09-11
  18. press 뉴시스, 민희진, '아일릿 뉴진스 카피 주장' 관련 손배소 승소 "피해자 특정 안 돼", 2026-09-18
  19. press 서울경제(Seoul Economic Daily), Court Rejects 100 Million Won Suit Against Min Hee-jin Over ILLIT Plagiarism Claims, 2026-09-18
  20. community Reddit r/kpop, NewJeans agency ADOR cuts off member Danielle…, 2025-12-29

How this article was made: read official statements, court/regulator records and at least two independent outlets; community posts are used only as attention signals. Written by Hallyu Wiki editors with AI assistance — check the sources. ขอแก้ไข