NewJeans legal battle deepens as ADOR accuses Danielle of unauthorised solo deals

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 — ADOR has accused NewJeans member Danielle of pursuing solo entertainment activities without the agency’s approval as the two sides continue their legal dispute in a Seoul court.

According to kbizoom.com, the allegations were made during the third hearing of ADOR’s damages lawsuit on July 2 at the Seoul Central District Court, which also names Danielle’s mother and former ADOR chief executive Min Hee Jin as defendants.

The agency claimed Danielle had independently pursued several activities, including a proposed collaboration with American band Emotional Oranges, overseas magazine photoshoots and an endorsement deal with an international luxury watch brand. 

ADOR argued she was the only NewJeans member to have undertaken individual music-related work outside the agency.

ADOR also questioned Danielle’s alleged involvement in dual contracts linked to a Chinese company, claiming she failed to disclose relevant information after returning to the agency. 

The company further argued that an entertainment association set up by the members effectively functioned as an exclusive management agreement.

Danielle’s legal team rejected the allegations, saying the proposed collaboration with Emotional Oranges never resulted in financial compensation or commercial gain.

Her lawyers also argued that many of the examples cited by ADOR involved group activities carried out by all NewJeans members, accusing the agency of overstating isolated incidents.

ADOR filed the damages suit after terminating Danielle’s exclusive contract in December last year. 

The agency maintains the dispute disrupted NewJeans’ activities, contributed to some members leaving and delayed the group’s return, and therefore believes Danielle’s side and former chief executive Min should be held liable.

Court documents show ADOR has reduced its damages claim from about 43.09 billion won (RM114.4 million) to 33.09 billion won.

The legal battle has also underscored the different paths taken by NewJeans members following last October’s first-instance ruling in the exclusive contract case. 

Hanni, Haerin and Hyein have returned to ADOR, while Minji is reportedly still in talks with the agency. 

Danielle, meanwhile, continues to contest the case in court.