K-pop label ADOR has filed a compensation suit against former NewJeans member Danielle, her family, and the group’s former producer Min Hee-jin, seeking nearly 43.1 billion won ($30 million), the company said Tuesday.
The suit follows Danielle’s removal from the group on Monday after a year-long dispute that stalled NewJeans’s activities. A court ruled in October that all five members must honor their contracts with ADOR, whose parent company HYBE also manages BTS.
The conflict began in November 2024, when NewJeans announced their decision to leave ADOR. The company obtained an injunction in March, barring the members from engaging in commercial activities. ADOR said Danielle’s contract ended because it was “difficult for her to continue as… an artist under ADOR.”
acts since its debut in 2022
Three of the group’s remaining four members have chosen to stay, while Minji is still in talks with the label. ADOR said former producer Min and Danielle’s family bear “significant responsibility” for the dispute and the band’s delayed return.
NewJeans, who debuted in 2022, became one of HYBE’s top acts. The dispute followed allegations that HYBE forced Min out as ADOR CEO, prompting the members to demand her reinstatement.
Band member Hanni said the group faced mistreatment, including “deliberate miscommunications and manipulation.”
A Seoul court in October rejected claims that trust with ADOR had broken down. ADOR stated that the members had received “distorted and biased information,” which caused misunderstandings about the company. AFP
