The Seoul Central District Court ordered the Dolphin Kidnappers to pay 1 billion won.
This ruling is likely to set a significant legal precedent regarding copyright and distribution.
ADOR has won a legal battle against the Dolphin Kidnappers. On January 13, 2026, the Seoul Central District Court delivered its verdict on the 1.1 billion won compensation lawsuit filed by ADOR. The case arose after a director's cut of New Jeans' 'ETA' music video, owned by ADOR, was uploaded to a YouTube channel without permission. ADOR characterized this as 'unauthorized posting' and took legal action, while director Shin Woo-seok deleted his video and subsequently filed criminal charges, claiming damages to his reputation. The court ruled that the Dolphin Kidnappers must pay ADOR 1 billion won along with interest, but dismissed other claims. Amid a deepening conflict, ADOR alleged contract violations, while the Dolphin Kidnappers claimed there was a verbal agreement.
This court ruling highlights the complex dynamics and conflicts between ADOR and the Dolphin Kidnappers. ADOR's representatives stressed the economic value of the music video and the need for controlled management, suggesting that this case could set a significant precedent regarding copyright and distribution in the creative industry. Such developments may influence legal disputes related to other creative works in the future, possibly affecting the legal proceedings of similar cases. Moreover, ADOR must adopt a more assertive stance on copyright protection in the highly competitive K-POP industry. It's essential for maintaining trust with fans while upholding legitimate rights.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: DB
