On the 2nd, Studio Dolphin Kidnappers’ representative Shin Woosuk stated on social media that “It seems that there are changes in Ador’s policies due to changes in their management,” and “Due to Ador’s request for deletion, all NewJeans music videos, related videos, and channels that Dolphin Kidnappers had worked on and uploaded, as well as videos planned for future uploads, can no longer be made public.”
He further explained, “Dolphin Kidnappers and the Ban Hee-soo YouTube channel operate with the purpose of archiving our portfolio, and no revenue is generated from it,” adding, “The videos and channels were created with a voluntary intention to produce good works for the fans, and Dolphin Kidnappers does not generate any revenue from them.”
Shin added, “However, according to Ador’s changed stance, all videos must be deleted and cannot be made public.”
Shin also expressed regret, stating, “There were projects we promised to continue with the NewJeans members, but it’s unfortunate that we can’t keep them,” and “I feel sorry to the fans who have been waiting, as well as to the staff who have been working tirelessly for months.”
Dolphin Kidnappers, managed by Shin, had directed music videos for NewJeans such as ‘Ditto,’ ‘OMG,’ and ‘ETA.’ Although the director’s cut of the ‘ETA’ music video was recently released on their YouTube channel, it was deleted on the same day.
In response, Ador posted a rebuttal on their social media account on the 3rd. Ador stated, “The ETA music video director’s cut posted by Dolphin Kidnappers on their SNS channel included edits with disagreements from past advertisers and was posted without the advertiser’s consent.”
Ador continued, “The copyrights for all NewJeans music videos and related works belong to Ador according to the contract between Ador and Dolphin Kidnappers, so the ETA music video and its edits (including the director’s cut) should be posted on our official channel,” emphasizing that this is to protect the artist’s rights.
Ador clarified that they only requested Dolphin Kidnappers to stop posting the director’s cut video and did not demand the deletion or suspension of all NewJeans-related videos or uploads. They also stated, “Our channel operation policy has not changed.”
Ador also criticized Shin for spreading false information about Ador requesting the deletion of all NewJeans-related videos, stating, “We express strong regret over Dolphin Kidnappers’ contract violations and spreading of false information,” and added, “We will take the best measures to ensure that the deleted NewJeans content is uploaded to Ador’s official channel in the future.”
