The first hearing of a damages lawsuit filed by Adore against NewJeans member Daniel and former CEO Min Hee-jin concluded without substantive progress on Thursday [1].
This legal battle represents a critical escalation in the conflict between the K-pop group's internal management and its former leadership. The outcome of the litigation could influence the contractual stability of the artists and the operational control of the agency.
Min Hee-jin, who previously served as the CEO of Adore and now leads OK Records, appeared in court alongside Daniel [1]. The proceedings focused on the initial claims of damages sought by Adore, though the court did not reach a definitive resolution during this session [1].
Legal representatives for the defendants did not provide detailed public statements following the hearing. The court is expected to schedule subsequent dates to examine the evidence and arguments presented by both parties [1].
Because this is the first hearing in the damages suit, the legal framework for the dispute is still being established. The proceedings highlight the ongoing tension between the creative direction of the group and the corporate interests of the parent organization, a struggle that has persisted since the leadership change at Adore [1].
Observers of the industry are monitoring the case to see if it will result in a settlement or a prolonged court battle that may affect the group's promotional activities [1].
“The first hearing... concluded without substantive progress.”
This lawsuit signals that the rift between Adore and its former executive, Min Hee-jin, has moved beyond corporate governance disputes into direct financial litigation involving the artists themselves. By naming a member of NewJeans in the suit, Adore is shifting the legal focus toward the individual impact of the leadership transition, which may complicate the group's future contractual obligations.
