K-pop group NewJeans has announced that they will be taking a break from all activities after a court ruled against them in their ongoing dispute with record label Ador. The five-piece group, who recently debuted their new song “Pit Stop,” told fans on Sunday that “this will be our last performance for a little while” due to the court’s ruling.
The court order forbids NewJeans from organizing appearances, making music, or signing advertising deals during their dispute with Ador. The group is seeking to cut ties with the label after accusing it of mistreatment and has said they will challenge the court’s ruling.
NewJeans have been embroiled in a lengthy dispute with Ador since August 2024, when Hybe, the parent company of Ador, allegedly forced out NewJeans’ mentor, Min Hee-Jin. The group has claimed that the label deliberately undermined their careers and that one member, Hanni, suffered workplace harassment.
The Seoul court ruled that NewJeans’ claims did not “sufficiently prove” that Ador violated their significant duty as part of their contract, stating that the music label had upheld “most of its duty including payment.” The decision prevents the band from conducting independent activities, making it difficult for them to rebrand under their new name, NJZ.
NewJeans’ fans will not have a chance to see the group perform live again until this hiatus is over, as they announced that they would be pausing all their activities out of respect for the court’s decision. The group believes this is necessary to protect themselves so that they can come back stronger and more determined than ever.
The dispute between NewJeans and Ador has been ongoing since August 2024, with the group initially announcing their departure from Hybe in November last year.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgr2vplwjeeo