The legal battle between Ador and NewJeans intensified during a recent injunction hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, where all five members appeared to address their rebranding as NJZ.

Ador, the Hybe-owned label, seeks to block the group from performing and conducting business activities under their new name NJZ. The injunction request extends to all activities, including upcoming performances in Hong Kong and planned new music releases.

Key points from the hearing:

• NJZ's legal team cited multiple alleged contractual violations by Ador, including the debut of Illit, which they claim overlaps with NewJeans' image
• Ador revealed they invested $14.55 million (₩21 billion) in NewJeans
• Each member received approximately $3.50 million (₩5 billion) in profit-sharing compensation since their 2022 debut
• The group continues to secure partnerships, including Calvin Klein, despite ongoing legal disputes

The court's decision on the injunction remains pending, with a separate hearing regarding the contract's validity scheduled for April 3rd.

This case holds significant implications for the K-pop industry, as it could set a precedent for contract terminations and reshape the dynamics between entertainment agencies and artists. The outcome could particularly impact an industry characterized by long-term artist contracts and intense agency-talent relationships.

The resolution of this dispute will likely influence future artist-agency relationships in the K-pop sector, making it a closely watched case by industry stakeholders and fans alike.

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