On June 11, the Civil Agreement Division 31 of the Seoul Central District Court held the second hearing in ADOR’s damages lawsuit against Danielle, a member of her family, and Min Hee Jin. The case centers on ADOR’s claim that Min Hee Jin played a key role in encouraging Danielle to sever ties with the agency, resulting in significant financial losses.
During the hearing, both sides fiercely debated whether KakaoTalk conversations involving Min Hee Jin and matters related to Danielle’s music activities should be admitted as evidence. After hearing arguments from both parties, the court stated that it would consider the disputed evidence while reviewing the case.
ADOR argued that the contents of the messages demonstrated Danielle had no intention of maintaining her exclusive contract with the agency. According to ADOR’s legal team: “Min Hee Jin encouraged NewJeans to terminate their contracts with ADOR and persuaded them that they would not suffer financial disadvantages. She induced them to break their contracts, which constitutes a breach of fiduciary duty.”
The legal conflict stems from NewJeans’ announcement in November 2024 that all five members considered their exclusive contracts with ADOR terminated due to alleged breaches by the agency. The group subsequently attempted to pursue independent activities.
However, in October 2025, a court ruled in favor of ADOR in a lawsuit seeking confirmation that the exclusive contracts remained valid. Following the ruling, the members reportedly chose not to appeal and gradually expressed intentions to return to the company. Despite this, ADOR later informed Danielle that she could no longer continue as a member of NewJeans and filed a damages lawsuit against her, a family member, and Min Hee Jin.
Danielle’s legal representatives strongly criticized ADOR’s actions during the hearing. They argued that Danielle was specifically targeted among the NewJeans members and accused the company of using the lawsuit as a warning to others. According to Danielle’s side: “From the beginning of this case, the plaintiff singled out Danielle, terminated her exclusive contract, and filed a massive damages lawsuit against her.”
The defense further claimed that ADOR intended to prolong the legal battle, potentially preventing Danielle from fully pursuing her entertainment career during a critical period of her life. They also alleged that the lawsuit sends a message to other members that failing to cooperate could result in similar legal action.
Min Hee Jin’s attorneys echoed Danielle’s concerns, arguing that the court should not permit tactics that unnecessarily prolong the proceedings. They claimed that extending the case would only further damage the lives and careers of those involved.
ADOR, however, rejected accusations that it was intentionally delaying the litigation. The agency’s legal team stated that it also wants a prompt resolution but insisted that its ability to present evidence and fully argue its case should not be restricted in the interest of speed.
The court also raised the possibility of a settlement between the parties. ADOR indicated that it does not completely rule out a negotiated resolution. Danielle’s side, however, expressed skepticism, noting that ADOR had terminated her contract and subsequently filed a lawsuit seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. The defense stated that this was the first time settlement had been seriously mentioned during the proceedings.
One notable development from the hearing was ADOR’s decision to reduce its damages claim. The company revised the amount it is seeking from approximately ₩43.09 billion (about $31 million) to ₩33.09 billion (about $24 million), submitting the revised figure to the court.
The lawsuit remains ongoing, with future hearings expected to further examine ADOR’s allegations against Min Hee Jin and Danielle, including the disputed KakaoTalk evidence that has become a central issue in the case.
Sources: Daum | 스타뉴스
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