DANIELLE
The lawsuit for damages in the amount of 430 billion won filed by ADOR, the agency of the girl group NEWJEANS, against member DANIELLE and former CEO MIN HEE JIN, enters a phase of fierce legal battle.
The Seoul Central District Court will hold the first pleading date for this case on May 14 at 3:10 PM, and will officially examine the arguments of both parties. This is the main trial being held about two months after the first pleading preparation date held last March 26 to clarify the points of dispute.
This legal conflict began last December when ADOR filed a complaint against DANIELLE, her family, and former CEO MIN HEE JIN to claim contractual penalties and damages. ADOR maintains that the defendants orchestrated the departure of the NEWJEANS members and deliberately delayed their return, thus causing immense disruptions in the management of the company. In response, DANIELLE continues to oppose the company’s claims through her legal representative.
The members of NEWJEANS had notified ADOR of the termination of their exclusive contract in November 2024, but the situation reversed after a legal battle. Last October, the court ruled in favor of the company by judging that the exclusive contract with ADOR remained valid until July 2029. Subsequently, HAERIN, HYEIN, and HANNI rejoined ADOR, and while MINJI was also holding discussions, the conflict seems to be subsiding. However, ADOR notified the termination of its exclusive contract only to DANIELLE, judging that she bore heavy responsibility in the orchestration of this crisis, and expelled her from the group.
DANIELLE recently expressed her unalterable affection for NEWJEANS and her complex feelings following her expulsion during a live broadcast, stating: “I fought until the end to stay with the members”. Unlike DANIELLE who was expelled, former CEO MIN HEE JIN founded OOAK RECORDS and continues her activities, while announcing a fierce struggle against ADOR as a defendant in this trial.
Both parties also firmly oppose each other on the speed of the trial. During the preparation session in March, DANIELLE’s side requested a speedy trial to minimize the artist’s period of inactivity, while ADOR pleaded for a cautious examination due to the scale of the case. Taking into account the defense’s opinion on the need for a rapid procedure, the court is accelerating the deliberations by setting pleading dates on June 14 as well as July 2.
In particular, the 31st Civil Division, which presides over this trial, is the very one that recently ruled in favor of former CEO MIN HEE JIN’s side in the dispute relating to the put option against HYBE, ordering HYBE to pay her 25.5 billion won. While HYBE has appealed this judgment, the eyes of the music industry and the legal world are focused on the conclusion that will be rendered in this 430 billion won damage suit.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: SNS NEWJEANS, MIN HEE JIN
