ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE and the label caught amidst a contract dispute with girl group NewJeans has filed an injunction to prohibit the members from signing independent advertising contracts.
The label announced in an official statement their appeal to Seoul's Central District Court for an "injunction to preserve agency status and prohibit advertising contracts" against NewJeans members, according to a report by TenAsia.
"The final ruling on the 'confirmation of exclusive contract validity' lawsuit filed by ADOR in December last year may take considerable time. We have applied for this injunction to urgently prevent the current confusion," the agency said in a statement on January 13.
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ADOR explained that the members' attempts to independently contact advertisers and sign contracts could lead to confusion for advertisers who signed up for the group's activities with the label.
The injunction, the label added, is a testament to their intention to continue their exclusive contract with NewJeans.
"This injunction reflects ADOR's intention to continue working with NewJeans," the label explained.
"We have consistently supported NewJeans' entertainment activities with all necessary personnel and facilities and plan to continue doing so."
The girls of NewJeans unilaterally declared their decision to terminate their exclusive contract with ADOR in a press conference in November.
The group's five members — Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein — have since made independent advances in advertising contracts, raising concerns and facing repercussions across organizations like the Korean Producers Association and the Korea Music Content Association.
Amidst the ongoing contract debacle, NewJeans' Vietnamese-Australian member Hanni's South Korean visa, issued for her employment in the entertainment industry under ADOR, has expired.
While Hanni's visa issue may rear problems ahead with the group's insistence on their contract termination, ADOR remains firm on its stance that its exclusive contract with NewJeans is valid. The label also expressed its desire to surge ahead with NewJeans schedules, including future music releases and concerts.
