SEOUL: K-pop agency Ador submitted new evidence that it says shows former chief executive Min Hee-jin orchestrated girl group NewJeans\u2019 effort to leave the agency.<\/p>\n
The submission took place during the third hearing on July 2 in its damages lawsuit against former member Danielle, her mother and Min.<\/p>\n
Ador is the label of NewJeans, which were in a year-long legal stand-off over the unilateral termination of their contract in November 2024.<\/p>\n
At the centre of the newly submitted evidence was an audio recording dated Sept 2, 2024, in which Min allegedly discussed plans surrounding NewJeans\u2019 YouTube live stream held nine days later.<\/p>\n
According to Ador, the recording captures Min telling the members\u2019 parents that the live stream \u201cmust go ahead\u201d because it would create evidence for a future lawsuit seeking to terminate the group\u2019s exclusive contracts with the agency.<\/p>\n
The development contrasts with Min\u2019s previous statements that she had discouraged the members from holding a live stream and that they had acted independently.<\/p>\n
The conversation predates NewJeans\u2019 Sept 11 live stream, during which all five members publicly demanded that Ador\u2019s parent company Hybe restore Min as Ador\u2019s chief executive by Sept 25. They argued that management changes had undermined the group\u2019s identity and creative direction.<\/p>\n
The agency is seeking damages from Min on the grounds that she allegedly orchestrated NewJeans\u2019 attempt to terminate their exclusive contracts and continue independent activities, which Ador argues caused financial losses.<\/p>\n
The newly disclosed evidence is intended to support its broader claim that Min actively directed those efforts rather than merely advising the members.<\/p>\n
Hybe removed Min as Ador\u2019s chief executive in August 2024, saying the decision reflected its policy of separating management from production. The move came amid allegations that Min had attempted to seize control of Ador\u2019s management and separate NewJeans from the company.<\/p>\n
After Ador declined to reinstate Min, the members announced the termination of their exclusive contracts on Nov 28, 2024, and later began promoting independently under the name NJZ.<\/p>\n
Members Hanni, Haerin and Hyein have since returned to Ador, while Minji is still in talks. Danielle\u2019s exclusive contract with Ador was terminated in December 2025.<\/p>\n
Ador further alleged that Min continued directing the group\u2019s independent activities both before and after a court granted an injunction in March 2025 barring the members from pursuing entertainment activities without the agency\u2019s approval.<\/p>\n
The company claimed Min oversaw the production of NJZ\u2019s appearance at ComplexCon Hong Kong, held two days after the court\u2019s ruling, including choreography, styling, merchandise production, music production, profile photography and Danielle\u2019s solo pictorial.<\/p>\n
As further evidence, Ador submitted a performance agreement showing a US$500,000 consulting fee for the ComplexCon project, which allegedly was for Min. The five members were to collectively receive US$350,000 for their performance.<\/p>\n
Another key piece of evidence presented during the hearing on July 2 was what Ador described as an \u201cExclusivity Agreement\u201d signed between NewJeans and AAO, a Chinese-backed company founded by Bonnie Chan Woo, the organiser of ComplexCon.<\/p>\n
Under the agreement, NewJeans were required to report matters related to both the group\u2019s activities and Ador\u2019s management to AAO, while the contract would remain in force for nine months and automatically renew unless either party objected, Ador said.<\/p>\n
The agency also told the court that while the other members later began terminating the agreement with AAO after returning to Ador in November 2025, Danielle allegedly continued concealing its existence.<\/p>\n
Ador further alleged that, even after losing the injunction case, Min encouraged the parents of Danielle and Minji to make demands that Ador could not realistically accept and to secretly record conversations with the company. It argued the purpose was to create additional grounds for terminating the members\u2019 contracts rather than facilitating their return.<\/p>\n
The agency claimed Danielle concealed the AAO agreement at the direction of her mother and further alleged that Min was behind those instructions. – The Korea Herald\/ANN<\/p>\n
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