K-pop sensation NewJeans have made headlines again, issuing a strong warning to their agency, ADOR, in light of alleged serious contract breaches. The group, under HYBE’s subsidiary, has reportedly delivered a formal certificate demanding that ADOR address their concerns within 14 days—or face the possibility of contract termination: "If ADOR does not meet the demand for rectification, [we] plan to revoke our exclusive contracts."
The move follows a turbulent period within ADOR, marked by a leadership shake-up when Min Hee-jin, a figure strongly supported by NewJeans, was replaced as CEO. In a livestream earlier this year, the members expressed their support for Min and voiced grievances about alleged mistreatment by HYBE staff. Despite their calls, ADOR rejected their request to reinstate Min, and the agency’s current CEO, Kim Ju-young, remains in place.
The group’s discontent reached the public sphere when member Hanni testified at South Korea’s National Assembly, detailing her experiences and sharing how interactions within the agency had led her to believe they weren’t fully supported by the company. “I came to the realisation that this wasn’t just a feeling. I was honestly convinced that the company hated us,” she said at the time.
With the clock now ticking on ADOR’s response, fans worldwide are watching closely, rallying in support of NewJeans as they navigate what could become a landmark case in K-pop’s ongoing battles for artist rights and agency transparency.
