NewJeans Announces Departure From HYBE-Owned Label ADOR

Girl group NewJeans has officially announced their departure from HYBE-owned label ADOR.

The K-pop outfit confirmed the news at a press conference, which took place about two months after the group's members accused ADOR staff of mistreating them. Music Business Worldwide reported that the artists still want to continue making music, although it might not be released under the NewJeans name. “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,” member Danielle said.

“We have faced mistreatment not just toward us but also toward our staff, countless preventions and contradictions, deliberate miscommunication, and manipulation regarding multiple areas,” member Hanni shared, adding that ADOR is “a company that no longer has any sincerity in the art of music that is created, is rather fixated on appearing like a well-working company despite only having thoughts about making money, and does not have any conscience about the negative effect they create through their non-authentic means.”

NewJeans also revealed that they want to continue working with Min Hee-jin, the former ADOR CEO and the group's creative director. Min was removed from her position at the label after HYBE accused her of attempting to gain control of ADOR from its parent company by selling company shares and leaking confidential information.

However, ADOR told Music Business Worldwide that the agreement between the label and NewJeans "remains in full effect." The group reportedly told the media about the press conference at 6 p.m. KST, and the label replied to NewJeans' ultimatum by email an hour later after it sent a paper version earlier in the day. “We regret that the press conference regarding the termination of the exclusive contract was planned and conducted without sufficient review, prior to receiving a response to [NewJeans’] legal notice,” ADOR said.

“ADOR, as the contractual party, has not violated the terms of the agreement. A unilateral claim of a breach of trust does not constitute valid grounds for terminating the contract," the statement continued. “The exclusive agreement between ADOR and the NewJeans members remains in full effect. Therefore, we respectfully request that the group continue its collaboration with ADOR on upcoming activities, as has been the practice to date.”

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