ADOR's CEO change and website update point to a protracted conflict. A fan's meeting with Hanni shows her healthy and happy while on a break. The legal process continues with a decisive mediation session next month
The highly publicized and bitter legal dispute between ADOR and its flagship artist, NewJeans, has reached a critical, yet unresolved, juncture. The conflict, which erupted from a power struggle between former CEO Min Hee Jin and parent company HYBE, has ensnared the members in a complex lawsuit that questions the very validity of their exclusive contracts.
This August, hopes for a quiet resolution were dashed when a court-mediated session between the two parties ended without an agreement. Members Danielle and Minji attended the hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, offering a brief, apologetic “We’re sorry” to waiting reporters before a lengthy session that ultimately proved fruitless.
Source: Instagram/hannipampamy
A second mediation is scheduled for September 11th, acting as a final chance for an out-of-court settlement. If this too fails, the fate of one of K-pop's most successful rookie groups will be placed entirely in the hands of the judiciary, with a final verdict expected on October 30th. This legal battle will fundamentally decide the group’s future, determining whether ADOR’s contracts with the members are still legally binding.
ADOR's New CEO
Source: Soompi
In a significant move amidst this turmoil, ADOR has announced a major leadership change, though not the one many NewJeans fans might have hoped for. The label has appointed Vice President Lee Do Kyung as its new CEO. The company explained the decision by stating,
“This move is intended to further strengthen the label’s operations as a company dedicated to planning and managing artists’ activities, including albums and concerts.”
This appointment solidifies HYBE's firm control over the subsidiary, effectively closing the door on any potential return for Min Hee Jin, whom fans had petitioned for. Lee Do Kyung is a HYBE veteran who joined in 2019 and is credited with shaping key business strategies. Her most notable work includes spearheading the expansion of artist IP-based businesses, overseeing merchandise and pop-up operations, and leading ambitious projects like THE CITY, which created immersive fan experiences in entire cities hosting concerts. Her promotion signals a shift towards a system focused on "swiftly supporting artist activities and business growth."
Adding to the air of uncertainty, NewJeans has been conspicuously removed from the official ADOR website, a move that many interpret as a stark visual representation of the deep rift between the company and the artists it was built around. This administrative action makes the group's future with the label appear increasingly bleak.
NJZ's Hanni New Appearance
However, in a surprising twist that contrasts the solemn courtroom images, a ray of personal positivity emerged regarding member Hanni. After months with no updates since her last court appearance in March, a netizen shared a heartening account of meeting her in a small town two months prior.
The fan’s post revealed a relaxed and happy Hanni, enjoying a vacation with friends. The netizen wrote,
“Hanni recently dyed her hair and she’s in good condition. She’s truly such a kind person... She was with a few friends and told my friend that she was on vacation. She kindly took a photo together... she was really kind, and even though she was completely barefaced, she was still so pretty.”
This firsthand account, shared with consent, has been a source of immense relief and joy for fans, proving that despite the professional chaos, the members are finding personal moments of peace and happiness.
For now, the path forward remains entirely unclear. The deletion from the website and the installation of a new HYBE-aligned CEO paint a picture of a label moving on, yet the unresolved lawsuit legally binds them together until the court's final decision. The scheduled September mediation is now the next major milestone, holding the potential to either pave the way for a negotiated settlement or cement the course for a definitive and likely messy legal conclusion in October. The entire industry watches and waits, hoping for a resolution that ultimately prioritizes the well-being and incredible talent of the NewJeans members.
Source: Soompi, Koreaboo, X
I truly believe she will emerge from this stronger and even more successful
Rooting for her like I root for the underdog in every drama. My kids are gonna hear all about this over meatloaf!