ADOR has intensified its legal battle against former NewJeans member Danielle, alleging she committed the most serious breaches of her exclusive contract while revealing new claims about an association established by the group that allegedly funded entertainment activities outside the agency.
The allegations were presented during the third hearing of ADOR’s damages lawsuit at the Seoul Central District Court on July 2. The agency is seeking ₩33.09 billion (approximately $24 million) in damages from Danielle, her family, and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin.
During the hearing, ADOR argued that Danielle’s alleged contract violations were the most severe among the members and claimed she made no effort to restore trust with the company. According to ADOR, resolving the alleged breaches required Danielle’s active cooperation. However, the agency claimed she responded with the attitude that past events should not be revisited and showed no willingness to correct the alleged violations.
ADOR also submitted audio recordings as evidence, arguing that Danielle consistently refused to cooperate, making it impossible to rebuild the trust required under an exclusive contract. The agency further alleged that Danielle was the only NewJeans member to independently pursue music-related and commercial activities without authorization.
ADOR also disclosed new allegations involving an association allegedly established by NewJeans. According to the agency, the association was created to operate an entertainment business, with its regulations stating that it would engage in artist management activities and distribute profits generated through those activities. ADOR argued that this directly overlapped with the purpose of the members’ exclusive contracts and therefore constituted a clear breach of those agreements.
The agency also listed several expenses it claims were covered using the association’s funds, including:
- Rental fees for Min Hee Jin’s press conference announcing the termination of the members’ exclusive contracts.
- Rent for a practice studio allegedly leased for Min Hee Jin’s upcoming boy group, which was also intended to be shared with NewJeans.
- Production costs for the NJZ logo and promotional photos following the group’s announcement of its planned re-debut.
ADOR argued that even if the association only financed these expenses, establishing an organization to support entertainment activities outside the agency amounted to operating a competing entertainment business and violated the members’ exclusive contracts.
ADOR previously filed the lawsuit against Danielle, her family, and Min Hee Jin, alleging they were responsible for Danielle’s contract violations as well as NewJeans’ departure from the agency and the delay in the group’s return.
The July 2 hearing focused primarily on ADOR’s arguments, and the court has not yet ruled on the merits of the case. Danielle and the other defendants are expected to present their responses in future proceedings as the high-profile legal dispute continues.
Sources: Daum | 스타투데이
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