Korean Management Union praises court ruling on NewJeans-ADOR contract, emphasizing stability in K-POP industry contracts.
October/30/2025 18:34Related Groups & Members
The Korean Management Union mentioned the first trial ruling regarding the exclusive contract between ADOR and NewJeans. The Korean Management Union stated today (30th) about the first trial ruling on the exclusive contract validity confirmation lawsuit between NewJeans and ADOR, that it is a reasonable result in protecting the reliability of the exclusive contract and the fairness of the popular music industry. On the same day, the 41st Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Chief Judge Jeong Hae-il) ruled in favor of the plaintiff (ADOR) in the exclusive contract validity confirmation lawsuit filed against the five members of NewJeans, determining that 'the exclusive contracts concluded between the plaintiff (ADOR) and the defendant (NewJeans) are valid.' The Korean Management Union evaluated this ruling as an important decision reaffirming the stability of the exclusive contract system that forms the foundation of the K-POP industry. The union has continuously pointed out that this issue could shake the very foundation of the entire K-POP industry, which is based on trust between artists and agencies, and has expressed serious concerns about the collapse of the industry's contract order and trust. In response, the union has issued official statements from the early stages of the dispute and emphasized the importance of a 'system that protects the reliability of contracts' based on standard exclusive contracts, actively working towards a prompt resolution of the situation and maintaining industry order. The union highly evaluated the first trial ruling recognizing the validity of the contract as a reasonable judgment to protect the fairness of the industry and expressed hope that it would serve as an important guide for the sustainable development of K-POP. Chairman Yoo Jae-eun stated, 'We respect and welcome the court's wise judgment today,' and added, 'Considering that the industry has expressed many concerns and actively responded to this situation, I hope this ruling will further strengthen the practices and trust of contracts based on standard exclusive contracts.' He continued, 'We will continue to do our best to build a healthy industrial system and create an environment where the rights and interests of artists and production companies are mutually respected.' The Korean Management Union is an organization established for the healthy development of the popular culture and arts industry, the protection of the rights and interests of affiliated artists, and the establishment of a fair industrial environment, with about 400 members involved in the popular culture and arts industry, registered with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
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