The Dolphin Kidnapping Group has appealed a court ruling requiring them to pay damages to ADOR after a legal dispute over music videos.
January/21/2026 18:47Related Groups & Members
The Dolphin Kidnapping Group has appealed the first-instance ruling against ADOR. On the 21st, according to the legal community, the Dolphin Kidnapping Group submitted an appeal to the Seoul Central District Court the previous day. On the 13th, the Seoul Central District Court ruled in a 1.1 billion won (approximately 110 million yen) damages lawsuit filed by ADOR against the Dolphin Kidnapping Group and director Shin Woosuk, ordering the Dolphin Kidnapping Group to pay ADOR 1 billion won (approximately 100 million yen) plus 12% annual late interest. The Dolphin Kidnapping Group is an advertising production company that has directed numerous music videos for NewJeans. They posted the director's cut of the music video for 'ETA' on the Dolphin Kidnapping Group's YouTube channel. Subsequently, director Shin Woosuk claimed, 'Due to ADOR's request for deletion, all videos related to NewJeans that the Dolphin Kidnapping Group had worked on and uploaded, as well as those planned for future uploads, can no longer be made public.' In response, ADOR clarified the reason for requesting the suspension of posting, stating that the director's cut of the music video for 'ETA' posted by the Dolphin Kidnapping Group included edits that had previously been a point of disagreement with the advertiser and was published without consultation with the advertiser. The conflict between the two parties escalated into a court dispute. The Dolphin Kidnapping Group maintains that there was a verbal agreement made when Min Heejin was the representative of ADOR. Former representative Min Heejin attended the trial directly, claiming that director Shin Woosuk's posting of the work on his channel was industry practice and had been verbally agreed upon. However, ADOR argued that 'the Dolphin Kidnapping Group published the video without prior written consent, violating the business contract,' and stated, 'The claim that director Shin Woosuk (Dolphin Kidnapping Group) is a creator and therefore unaware of the contract does not absolve them from complying with the law and contract.'
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The advertising company behind NewJeans' 'Ditto', known as Ilka Kidnapping Group, has applied for a suspension of enforcement against ADOR after a court ordered ADOR to pay damages. The court ruled partially in favor of Ilka, ordering ADOR to pay 1 billion won, but dismissed claims against director Shin Woosuk. The case involves disputes over the release of music video content.
Daniel from NewJeans has donated 300 million won to support children in need through the non-profit organization Yana. This comes as he faces legal disputes with ADOR, which has led to the termination of his contract. Daniel expressed his commitment to his fans and the group during a recent live stream.
Daniel, after leaving NewJeans, shares a heartfelt letter with fans, expressing gratitude for their support and love. She reassures them that her feelings remain unchanged and emphasizes the importance of their bond. Despite challenges ahead, she is committed to moving forward together, cherishing the memories and looking forward to a new chapter.
In a court session, HYBE and former ADOR head Min Hee-jin clashed over shareholder agreements and stock sale claims. HYBE accused Min of manipulating public opinion and breaching trust, while Min countered that HYBE misrepresented communications and denied any wrongdoing regarding NewJeans. The court will deliver a verdict on February 12.
Daniel from NewJeans has opened a Xiaohongshu account, quickly gaining over 10,000 followers. This move is seen as part of her international expansion efforts. Following her personal Instagram's rapid growth, she engaged with fans through a live stream, marking her first official communication after a contract dispute with ADOR. Her legal team clarified that this interaction is unrelated to ongoing litigation.
ADOR has won a lawsuit against the production company Ilka Kidnapping Group and director Shin Woosuk, ordering them to pay 1 billion won in damages for unauthorized releases of NewJeans' music videos. The dispute arose after the director's cut of 'ETA' was posted on YouTube without permission, leading to claims of defamation and ownership rights.
After facing a lawsuit from ADOR, Daniel of NewJeans connects with fans in a live stream, expressing gratitude and stating this is just the beginning, not the end. She reflects on her journey and the support from fans, while also hinting at future updates regarding the lawsuit.
Daniel of NewJeans will hold a live message on his social media today at 7 PM, thanking fans for their support and sharing updates. This event comes amid ongoing legal disputes following his contract termination with ADOR, which has announced intentions to seek damages related to the situation.
In December, K-pop news was dominated by SHINee's Key announcing a hiatus due to a scandal, PSY's police investigation over prescription drugs, and the wedding of Kim Woo-bin and Shin Mina after 10 years of dating. Other highlights included dating rumors between BTS's Jungkook and aespa's Winter, and NewJeans' contract issues with member Daniel.
ADOR has initiated a lawsuit against Daniel, a former member of NewJeans, her family, and ex-CEO Min Hee-jin, seeking 431 billion won in damages. The lawsuit, citing breach of contract, has been assigned to the Seoul Central District Court. ADOR claims Daniel's departure caused significant issues, leading to the contract termination.
