The first hearing in ADOR’s massive ₩43.1 billion (roughly $31 million USD) damages lawsuit against former NewJeans member Danielle, her family, and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin quickly turned into a fight over something beyond the allegations themselves: whether the company is intentionally dragging the case out.
The hearing took place Friday at Seoul Central District Court. Neither Danielle nor Min appeared in person, with both sides represented by lawyers.
ADOR Swaps Legal Teams Mid-Case
One of the biggest points of tension was ADOR’s recent decision to replace its original legal counsel from Kim & Chang with attorneys from LEEHAN, a firm reportedly known for handling matters related to Bang Si-hyuk.
After bringing in the new legal team, ADOR requested that the hearing be postponed. The court denied the request and moved forward with the scheduled proceedings.
Danielle’s lawyers argued that the move effectively reset the case four months after the lawsuit was filed.
According to Danielle’s side, the concern is not simply legal strategy, but timing.
They argued in court that prolonging the lawsuit could force Danielle to spend some of the most important years of her idol career tied up in litigation rather than performing.
Danielle’s Side Accuses ADOR of Making an Example Out of Her
Danielle’s legal team also argued that ADOR deliberately singled her out from the other NewJeans members.
They claimed the company is using the lawsuit — which seeks more than ₩43 billion in damages and contractual penalties — as a warning to the remaining members about the consequences of refusing to cooperate.
The attorneys further accused ADOR of failing to submit parts of its evidentiary plan on time, calling it an “overt and malicious” attempt to slow the proceedings.
Min Hee-jin’s side echoed similar criticisms regarding the pace and management of the lawsuit.
ADOR Denies Any Attempt to Delay the Case
ADOR rejected the accusations outright.
The company’s legal team argued that the defendants were not simply asking for a “speedy trial,” but for an unusually accelerated process.
According to ADOR, the company also wants a quick resolution and has no reason to intentionally stall the proceedings.
ADOR additionally stated that it has never attempted to interfere with Danielle’s entertainment career or future activities.
What ADOR Is Actually Suing Over
The lawsuit centers on allegations tied to NewJeans’ attempted departure from ADOR.
The company is seeking damages from Danielle for alleged violations of her exclusive contract. It is also accusing Danielle’s family and Min Hee-jin of jointly contributing to NewJeans’ separation from the agency and the delay in the group’s return.
The total claim includes contractual penalties, which in Korean entertainment contracts are financial penalties agreed upon separately from proving actual monetary damages.
“Tampering” Is Emerging as a Major Legal Issue
Another major issue expected to shape the case moving forward is so-called “tampering.”
In the K-pop industry, tampering generally refers to claims that outside parties contacted artists before their contracts expired in order to encourage them to leave their agency or terminate agreements early.
The court instructed both sides to research overseas legal precedents involving tampering, suggesting the issue may become central to the broader dispute.
The Larger NewJeans vs. ADOR Conflict
The legal battle traces back to November 2024, when the NewJeans members publicly announced they were terminating their contracts with ADOR during a press conference.
ADOR responded by filing a lawsuit seeking confirmation that the contracts remained legally valid. In October 2025, the court ruled in ADOR’s favor at the first-trial level, finding that the contracts were still enforceable.
Since then, ADOR has stated that Haerin, Hyein, and Hanni have returned, while discussions regarding Minji are reportedly moving in a positive direction.
Danielle, however, appears to remain at the center of the company’s most aggressive legal action.
The next hearing is scheduled for next month.
