NewJeans and ADOR enter second mediation round over contract dispute: Everything we know so far

Court-appointed mediators held another in-court session aimed at resolving the contract dispute between K-pop group NewJeans and their agency ADOR. As per the reports by allkpop, the meeting did not result in an agreement, and the court has scheduled a final decision for October 30, 2025.

Kbizoom reports indicate the session took place in the early afternoon and concluded without a settlement, though sources vary on which members attended in person. According to The Washington Post, the dispute arose after the five members announced their departure from ADOR and their intention to continue as “NJZ.”

ADOR asked the court to confirm that the group’s exclusive contracts remain valid, and the Seoul Central District Court granted an injunction in March 2025 that prevented the members from engaging in independent commercial work without the agency’s approval. That ruling has kept the group from participating in official promotions and has delayed planned releases.

Background to NewJeans’ contract dispute

The conflict started in late 2024 when the members publicly announced they would cut ties with ADOR and use a new name in their future work. ADOR responded by filing a lawsuit to protect its contractual rights. In March 2025, the court granted an injunction in ADOR’s favor, stating the label’s request to halt independent activities was justified.

As reported by Reuters, NewJeans posted a response after that ruling, saying,

“NJZ respects the court’s ruling. However, we believe that the decision did not fully take into account the complete breakdown of trust the members have experienced toward ADOR.”

ADOR, for its part, issued a statement saying it would continue to support the artists under the confirmed contracts. Multiple outlets reported that the mediation took place around 1:30 p.m. KST and ended without a deal. Some reports described a brief 20-minute session, while others said the meeting lasted about an hour and 20 minutes and was private.

What the courts have already decided and what comes next?

So far, the courts have upheld ADOR’s management rights through the injunction and related rulings, which restrict what the group can do publicly as the legal process continues. The judge has asked the parties to attempt mediation again before issuing a final judgment.

If no settlement is reached during these talks, the Seoul court plans to deliver a final ruling on October 30, 2025. That decision will determine whether the contracts remain valid and whether the members can resume independent activities.

Industry context and points to watch

As reported by allkpop, this case has attracted attention because it highlights common tensions in K-pop between artist control and agency contracts. Observers will watch the October court date to see how strictly Korean courts balance written contracts against claims of mistreatment or loss of trust.

According to the reports of Korea JoongAng Daily, any settlement terms, if an agreement is reached, will also be examined closely. These could include financial compensation, conditions for future releases, or clear rules regarding management decisions.

For now, the legal schedule is fixed. Mediation has occurred again, and a final court decision is set for October 30, 2025. Until that ruling or a settlement is announced, NewJeans’ official activities under ADOR remain restricted, and public statements from both sides stay limited to brief, formal releases.

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