NewJeans members have opted against re-appealing the injunction handed down in their contract dispute with Hybe’s Ador. Photo Credit: SBS Radio
NewJeans members have seemingly decided against launching another injunction appeal in their high-stakes dispute with Hybe’s Ador. Meanwhile, their overarching contract lawsuit is still moving forward.
South Korean outlets just recently confirmed the injunction-appeal development, which follows a Seoul High Court ruling against the girl group earlier in June. As we reported then, the court rejected a push to overturn an injunction preventing NewJeans members from engaging in career activities without the involvement of Hybe/Ador.
With major financial penalties in place for infractions, this order put the kibosh on NJZ, rumored releases, and more. As summed up by the Korea Herald, under South Korean law, injunction re-appeals must be launched within seven days post-ruling notification.
And because the deadline has come and gone, the five professionals behind NewJeans don’t intend to dive into a fresh appeal. In the same outlet’s coverage, entertainment attorney Bae Jin-sung indicated that a low probability of success may have contributed to the decision.
More pressing is the indirect impact that another appeal could bring about in the aforementioned contract complaint. Though the injunction back-and-forth and the core lawsuit are technically distinct, the former might “have intangible influence” on the latter in practice, the lawyer summed up.
Regarding said core lawsuit, the independence-minded NewJeans members maintain that Ador violated the terms of their contract, which is allegedly null and void as a result.
On the opposite side of the showdown, Hybe and Ador are adamant that there was no contractual violation whatsoever – with the multiyear agreement therefore remaining in effect. Furthermore, Ador has publicly entreated NewJeans members to reconcile and reassume their position under the company banner.
Evidently, these entreaties have thus far failed to fuel the desired outcome for the K-pop giant. That being the case, where does the litigation go – beyond an upcoming July 24th hearing – from here?
Timetable-wise, Bae pointed to possible plodding proceedings spanning two and a half years, with a small chance that the action could drag on for closer to half a decade on the (very) high end.
Suffice to say even the shorter window is lengthy – and sure to produce not-so-positive headlines, hefty legal bills, and more. And to point out a similarly obvious fact, putting the convoluted confrontation to rest now would save plenty of cash and trouble.
Nevertheless, an amicable resolution probably isn’t in the near-term cards. Most immediately, it’s abundantly clear at this point that Hybe, desired NewJeans reconciliation or not, is unwilling to welcome back former Ador head Min Hee-jin.
As many will recall, an ultimatum for Min’s reinstatement preceded NewJeans’ decision to unilaterally nix (or at least move to nix) the Ador contract.
Kpop News: The Latest Industry Updates & Developments, Music Law
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