NewJeans. Image: X/@NewJeans_ADOR
With NewJeans having wrapped up most of their schedules fixed by All Doors One Room (ADOR), all eyes are on their next steps. Following the group’s notification to terminate their exclusive contracts with the agency last November, no newly negotiated activities have been planned.
NewJeans concluded their major commitments under ADOR with an appearance at an awards ceremony in Fukuoka, Japan, on Sunday. While a few advertisement obligations remain, the group has completed all other engagements overseen by ADOR’s management.
This development follows the members’ announcement on Nov. 28, last year, when they declared their intention to terminate their contracts with Ador.
“We will continue to honor our preexisting schedules and advertisements as planned. We have no intention of causing harm to others through our contract termination,” member Danielle stated at a press conference.
Since then, the group has participated in various events, including guest performances at Japanese duo Yoasobi’s concert and appearances at year-end award shows both in South Korea and Japan.
However, any future activities by NewJeans from now on would constitute a breach of their exclusive contracts with ADOR. Last December, the South Korean agency filed a lawsuit with the Seoul Central District Court to legally confirm the validity of the exclusive contracts with NewJeans and to establish that the contracts remain in effect.
While the members assert that their contracts have been terminated, the legal dispute remains unresolved. Any additional violations could increase the damages owed to ADOR.
The situation is particularly precarious for Hanni, who holds Vietnamese-Australian citizenship.
Despite claiming her contract with ADOR has ended, Hanni participated in the Japanese engagement on Sunday using an E-6 visa sponsored by the agency. If her claim of termination is legally valid, she could now be classified as an overstayer in South Korea. This would require her to leave the country, surrender her visa, and reapply for the visa through a new agency — a process that could take over three months, delaying group activities.
NewJeans now faces a difficult choice: Continuing to work could risk breaching their contracts with the label while halting all activities could prolong their hiatus. The potential legal and financial repercussions of further actions remain significant, exposing the group to penalties that could impact their careers and future endeavors.