NewJeans’ new statement arrived as the Korea Entertainment Producer’s Association (KEPA) also issued a statement deeming the group’s contract termination “irresponsible” and “deeply concerning,” claiming it was done “without concrete justification,” per The Korea Herald. KEPA’s sentiments mirrored those of the Korea Management Federation (KMF), which, on December 3, urged the members to retract the decision to terminate their contracts.
November 2024: NewJeans announce they are terminating their exclusive contracts; ADOR responds saying the contracts “remain valid”
The five members of NewJeans held an emergency press conference on November 28, where they announced they would terminate their contracts and leave ADOR.
“The reason we are leaving ADOR is very simple, and I think the reporters here who know our situation are also all very aware. NewJeans is an artist of ADOR, and ADOR is obligated to protect NewJeans. It is the most basic obligation that an agency has,” the group said, per a translation by Soompi. “ADOR does not have the will or ability to protect NewJeans. If we remain here, it will be a waste of our time, and our mental distress will continue. More than anything, there is nothing that we can gain in terms of our work, so the five of us think that there is no reason at all for us to remain at ADOR.”
The quintet said their contracts would be terminating as of November 29 at 12 a.m. KST and vowed to carry out all “promised and contracted activities we have scheduled already,” as well as advertisement deals, according to Soompi.
The group also claimed they had not violated their exclusive contracts and do not believe they owe any penalty fees resulting from their early termination, Soompi reported. (The members had signed a standard seven-year exclusive contract that was set to expire in 2029.)
“We did not violate our exclusive contracts, and we have never violated them. Until now, we have been putting in our full effort to carry out our activities, so we think that there is no reason for us to pay penalties. Actually, the current ADOR and HYBE violated the contracts, leading to this current situation, so we believe the current ADOR and HYBE are the ones who are responsible,” NewJeans said.
The group also expressed their desire to keep working as a team, though they warned fans they might not be able to use their current group name going forward. “We are well aware that from today we may not be able to use our current name, NewJeans; however, that doesn’t mean that we are giving up on the name at all, and we will continue to fight for NewJeans. Regardless of our name, just remember that NewJeans never dies,” Danielle said in English.
On November 29, the group released a statement doubling down on the termination announcement, Soompi reported.
“We are notifying ADOR of the termination of our contract due to their breach of contractual obligations and failure to rectify the issues within the rectification period. This termination notice is in accordance with our exclusive contract, and all five of us have signed the termination document. The notice takes effect immediately upon its delivery to ADOR on November 29, 2024. From that moment, the exclusive contract is null and void. Therefore, there is no need to file for an injunction to terminate the contract, and we are free to continue our activities from November 29, 2024,” the statement reads. “Additionally, we have faithfully fulfilled our contractual obligations as ADOR’s artists. The termination of the contract is solely due to ADOR’s breach of duty, and we are not liable for any penalties. We do not wish for anyone to be harmed by the termination of our contract. We will diligently fulfill all contractual obligations made between ADOR and other parties before our contract termination.”
