Daniel's side is continuing to respond legally against the company's claims.
This case is expected to ignite discussions on artist contracts in the K-Pop industry.
[TV Daily Reporter Kim Ji-hyun] The legal battle over a lawsuit worth 43 billion won filed by Ador against member Daniel and former CEO Min Hee-jin of NewJeans is entering the court phase. The first hearing is scheduled for May 14 at 3:10 PM at the Seoul Central District Court, where both sides' arguments will be officially examined. This hearing comes about two months after the initial preparatory session held on March 26.
The lawsuit began in December last year when Ador claimed damages against Daniel, his family, and former CEO Min, alleging that they led the departure of NewJeans members and intentionally delayed their return, causing significant operational disruption. In response, Daniel's team is disputing these allegations through legal representation.
In November 2024, NewJeans members had notified Ador of their intent to terminate their contracts, but a legal battle resulted in the court declaring that the contract with Ador remains valid until July 2029. Following this ruling, members Haerin, Hyein, and Hani returned to Ador, seemingly resolving the conflicts, but Daniel was the only one to receive a termination notice. Recently, Daniel conveyed his complicated feelings in a live broadcast, expressing his unwavering affection for NewJeans and his fight to remain with the group. Meanwhile, former CEO Min is currently active with the establishment of OK Records.
This lawsuit transcends a mere legal dispute, likely igniting discussions about member exits within the K-Pop industry. Daniel's expulsion has faced significant backlash from fans, spotlighting the potential implications for similar cases in the future. Her unexpected departure may substantially alter her career trajectory and relationship with the fan base.
The court's decision will also draw attention to how artist contracts are managed in K-Pop. Particularly, given that the Civil Settlement Division 31 has a history of ruling in favor of Min Hee-jin in a recent lawsuit involving Hive, insights into potential outcomes of this damage claim have generated speculation. Regardless of the ruling, a reevaluation of management practices within the K-Pop industry seems inevitable.
Lastly, it is crucial to understand whether the bond between Daniel and the other members of NewJeans will remain intact moving forward. While Daniel's recent live broadcast reflected her love for the group and delivered a positive message to fans, it remains to be seen how the psychological elements of these personal relationships will evolve over time.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: TVDaily
