The group NewJeans expressed disappointment over the court's restraining order on their individual activities, and a lawyer known to be a fan of NewJeans (NJZ) also expressed concern over their actions.

Earlier on the 21st, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Agreement Division 50 (Chief Judge Kim Sang-hoon) accepted a provisional injunction request filed by ADOR against the five members of NewJeans, prohibiting them from engaging in 'management agency status retention and advertising contract signing.'

The court ruled, 'The claims and materials submitted by the debtor (the five members of NewJeans) alone do not sufficiently demonstrate that the creditor (ADOR) violated significant obligations under the exclusive contract, leading to a valid reason for termination or that the trust relationship between the parties has collapsed to an irreversible extent.'

According to the court's judgment, which prohibits the members from engaging in entertainment activities without the prior approval or consent of ADOR, either by themselves (including legal representatives) or through a third party, it has become difficult for the members to use the new name 'NJZ' or engage in independent activities for the time being.

In response to the ruling, ADOR said, 'We deeply appreciate the wise judgment of the provisional injunction court. Since ADOR has legally confirmed its status as the management agency for NewJeans, we will take full responsibility for supporting the artist in the future.' However, NewJeans noted, 'We respect the court's decision,' while also stating that 'the decision does not fully consider the fact that the members' trust in ADOR has completely collapsed.'

Additionally, after the court ruling, the members of NewJeans revealed their candid feelings in an exclusive interview with the U.S. news magazine Time. They stated that they found the court’s decision 'disappointing' and expressed that they did not expect the issues within the K-pop industry to change overnight.

They added, 'Compared to everything we have experienced so far, this is just another stage in our journey,' and, 'This is probably the reality in Korea right now. But that is precisely why we believe we need change and growth.'

They also mentioned, 'It feels like Korea wants to make us into 'revolutionaries.'

Despite the outcome of the provisional injunction, the members of NewJeans are maintaining their name NJZ and are not wavering in their intention to pursue independent activities. They have stated that they will continue to communicate through NJZ's social media accounts and are determined to release new songs. As a result, the public and fans have shown concern.

In particular, on online communities and social media, a lawyer from Kim & Chang, known as a 'die-hard fan of NewJeans,' also expressed his criticism after watching NewJeans' first foreign media interview following the provisional ruling, stating, 'It is time to wake up from the dream.'

He criticized, 'If you adopt such an attitude immediately after the court's ruling, it is hard to avoid the criticism that you are defending the industry or company’s injustices while lying and demonizing your colleagues.' He added, 'As someone who has obtained the opportunity to enjoy the system created by the hard work of countless people, if you truly want reform, there are certain duties that must be upheld.'

He further explained, 'This is not possible without respect and consideration for seniors and colleagues, and without self-sacrifice. If you lack the ambition and will to do that and just want to act as you please or earn infinitely more money, at least you should keep your contracts quietly, and leave the organization at the appropriate time to live independently.' He emphasized, 'Disrupting and belittling the system is not an appropriate way to improve and advance it.'

Additionally, the lawyer stated, 'At first, they attacked their parent company in alignment with Min Hee-jin and targeted other labels and their affiliated artists. Now, they are denying the industry, ultimately ignoring the court, and have begun making disparaging remarks about all of Korea while positioning themselves as martyrs.'

Finally, he expressed, 'In this situation where the lies revealed in the evidence submitted by their own lawyer in favor of the court are all exposed, holding onto an interview with a foreign media outlet conducted in English will not obscure the essence of the matter.' He added, 'I hope that the mistakes made in the interview conducted hastily before regrouping and organizing thoughts after the court's decision can be considered as a misstep. I urge everyone, including myself, to uphold the minimum standards to aid each other.'

As the court did not endorse all of the reasons for the cancellation of the exclusive contract claimed by the members of NewJeans, and sided with ADOR, the members now find themselves in a situation where they must be increasingly cautious with every step they take. Nonetheless, if they continue on their own path, as many are concerned, it may be difficult to gain both legal resolution and public sympathy.

The members of NewJeans stated, 'There is an ongoing lawsuit to confirm the validity of the exclusive contract between ADOR and the members, and we will reaffirm the fact that the contract was lawfully terminated on the scheduled hearing date of April 3.'

While expressing that they will not return to ADOR, the members of NewJeans, who are facing a red light in their independent activities, are drawing attention to how they will proceed, including attending the ComplexCon event taking place in Hong Kong on the same day.

Meanwhile, NewJeans will appear at 'ComplexCon Hong Kong' at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong on the afternoon of the 23rd.

[Photo] OSEN DB

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