In the first hearing of ADOR's 43.1 billion won damages lawsuit against Danielle and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, both sides clashed over whether the trial was being delayed.
After KIM&CHANG, ADOR's previous counsel, resigned, ADOR appointed the law firm Rihan as new counsel and requested a date change, but the court proceeded as scheduled. Rihan is known as the firm that includes the so-called "Bang Si-hyuk attorneys," who have handled cases related to HYBE Chair Bang Si-hyuk.
The Civil Agreement Division 31 of the Seoul Central District Court (presiding judge Director General Nam In-su) on the 14th held the first hearing in the damages suit filed by ADOR against Danielle, Danielle's family, and the former CEO Min. Danielle and the former CEO Min did not appear in court, and only the representatives of both sides attended.
ADOR recently appointed Rihan as its new legal representative and on the 8th filed a request to change the date. The court did not accept it. Following the prior preparatory hearing, both sides again clashed over the pace of the proceedings and whether there was an intent to delay.
Danielle's side took issue with ADOR dismissing its existing counsel and appointing new counsel four months after filing the lawsuit. A representative for Danielle said, "ADOR is trying to start anew by dismissing its existing litigation counsel and appointing a new representative at a point four months after filing the lawsuit," adding, "Regardless of winning or losing, it appears to be pursuing the modest objective of dragging the case out for a long time so that Danielle wastes the most brilliant period of an idol's career on legal disputes."
They continued, "ADOR singled out Danielle among NewJeans members as a target, notified her of the termination of her exclusive contract, and filed a massive penalty damages suit," and said, "There is an improper aim to warn other NewJeans members that they could face massive retaliatory lawsuits if they do not cooperate." They also said ADOR missed the deadline to submit its proof plan, calling it "a blatant and malicious act to delay the trial." The former CEO Min's side also took issue with ADOR's litigation approach on the same grounds.
ADOR countered that it had no reason to slow the case. An ADOR representative said, "Please distinguish whether the defendants are seeking a speedy trial or demanding an unusual pace," adding, "ADOR also wants a prompt confirmation of its rights and has no intention whatsoever to delay the case." They added, "ADOR has never interfered with Danielle's entertainment activities and has no disagreement about her activities."
ADOR is holding Danielle responsible under the exclusive contract and holding Danielle's family and the former CEO Min liable for joint tort for involvement in NewJeans' departure and delayed return. The claimed amount totals 43.1 billion won, including a penalty. A penalty refers to a monetary liability agreed to be borne separately from the actual damages when a contract is breached.
To expedite the proceedings, Danielle's side requested that the arguments be split and conducted by defendant. The court told ADOR to establish and submit a common proof plan regarding Danielle and the former CEO Min, among others.
So-called "tampering" also remained an issue going forward. In the industry, tampering refers to claims that another company or associate made prior contact before an exclusive contract ended to induce a transfer or termination. The court told both sides to find and summarize overseas precedents related to tampering.
The dispute between ADOR and NewJeans escalated in Nov. 2024 when the members held a press conference and notified the termination of their exclusive contracts. ADOR filed a suit in Dec. of the same year to confirm the validity of the exclusive contracts, and on Oct. 30 the court of first instance ruled that the contracts were valid.
ADOR later said Haerin, Hye-in, and Hanni had returned, and that talks with Min-ji about rejoining were progressing positively. By contrast, regarding Danielle, ADOR determined it would be difficult to continue together as an ADOR-affiliated artist, notified her of the termination of the exclusive contract, and filed a separate damages suit. The next hearing will be held at 2 p.m. on the 11th of next month.