Did you see all the headlines and discussions about NewJeans and HYBE-ADOR controversy? Now, you might not have the chance to go through everything lately. Yet, you’re still here wondering: what happened to NewJeans and did they really leave HYBE? And as you wonder, “Is NewJeans under HYBE or not?” the truth actually goes deeper than corporate labels.
Because at the heart of it all is a word that doesn’t appear on any legal document: trust. And once it’s broken, the system has no easy way to put it back together. So today we’re going to give you the brief overview of what happened so far between NewJeans and their dispute of trusts with HYBE-ADOR.
Why Did NewJeans Leave HYBE: Are They Still Under the Company?
First things first, if you’ve been wondering whether NewJeans really did leave HYBE, well, technically, they haven’t.
NewJeans is still under ADOR, and ADOR remains a HYBE subsidiary. But the conflict that’s unfolding in court shows how little that corporate structure matters when the artist-agency relationship collapses behind closed doors.
The legal battle began with quiet filings. It escalated into a high-profile injunction. And now, it’s become a public dissection of what happens when idols no longer feel protected by the system built to manage them.
In court, NewJeans claims that after HYBE ousted former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, their sense of independence dissolved. They argue that ADOR failed to protect their interests during that abrupt management transition. Their legal team insists that despite multiple attempts to fix things internally, ADOR ignored them. The final blow? A total breakdown of trust—one that the group says cannot be repaired.
ADOR disagrees. In their response, they say the group is retroactively searching for excuses to justify a premeditated departure. They argue that they met their obligations, even citing meetings with producers and a continued effort to maintain operations. To ADOR, NewJeans’ actions amount to a breach of contract—not a reaction to mismanagement.
The Legal Term That Keeps Appearing: “Entertainment Activity” – What Happened in the Latest Update?
One of the most striking features of this lawsuit is how deeply the court has had to define what idols can and cannot do while the conflict remains unresolved.
In March 2025, the Seoul Central District Court granted ADOR an injunction to block NewJeans from performing, promoting, or engaging in any entertainment-related activity without prior approval. This includes things as small as filming ads or as major as releasing music. In late May, the court doubled down, enforcing a ₩1 billion penalty (around $730,000 USD) per violation, per member. That means one unauthorized group activity could legally cost them over ₩5 billion.
Yet, what counts as an “entertainment activity” is broader than you might think: concerts, livestreams, music production, even promotional social media—anything with commercial implications.
On the other hand, appearances at birthday cafes, personal selcas, or religious events? Those aren’t restricted. The injunction focuses on activities with monetization, not personal presence.
This distinction matters. It’s not just about where NewJeans shows up—it’s about who profits from it, and whether ADOR signs off for these promotions.
Is NewJeans Still Under HYBE?
This is one of the most Googled questions in 2025: “Is NewJeans under HYBE?”
The short answer is yes—technically.
ADOR is a label created by HYBE, and HYBE still owns the majority of it. So legally, yes—NewJeans is still under HYBE.
But the situation isn’t that simple. What’s happening now shows how complicated things get when a group no longer trusts the smaller label that manages them (ADOR), yet still operates under the larger company that controls it all (HYBE).
It’s like being stuck between two overlapping authorities. ADOR is the very entity that has failed them emotionally. But still, this entity is under another parent label, HYBE, that holds the legal power.
And that layered conflict is exactly what’s unfolding in court through contracts, injunctions, and conflicting narratives.
Still, it’s important to note that NewJeans hasn’t officially debuted under any new label. All activity under the name NJZ—believed to be a placeholder or symbolic protest—is being cited by ADOR as proof of contract violation.
As of June 2025, NewJeans is contractually bound, legally restricted, and functionally inactive until the court delivers a final ruling. The next hearing is set for July 24.
What Gen Is NewJeans—and Why It Matters in This Case
NewJeans is widely classified as 4th generation K-pop, but their legal fight might define the beginning of something even more significant: a new cultural generation within the idol industry.
Most 4th-gen groups have embraced new rules for visibility—TikTok virality, ultra-fast comebacks, and polished branding. NewJeans did all of that, but then went a step further.
They challenged their company’s actions, publicly and legally, while still at the height of their fame.
What makes this case historic isn’t just the monetary penalty or courtroom drama. It’s more on the deep and profound message: that idols, particularly young women in a male-dominated corporate landscape, are no longer willing to be silent when management structures fail them.
They’re also no longer settling just because it’s the safer path. During their second court hearing, when asked if they’d consider a resolution, NewJeans replied:
“The relationship of trust has been completely shattered. We’ve crossed a river and cannot return.”
NewJeans.
Future Possibilities for NewJeans VS HYBE-ADOR Dispute
The court has already sided with ADOR twice on injunction-related rulings. But the heart of the conflict—the exclusive contract’s validity—is still under trial.
If the court upholds the contract, NewJeans may remain restricted until it expires or they reach a settlement. If the court rules in favor of termination, the injunctions and penalties will dissolve retroactively.
But even a legal victory wouldn’t come clean. The damage—emotional, reputational, and financial—is already underway. For fans, this trial actually reflects deeper questions about how K-pop treats its biggest talents when conflict arises. But we’ll talk about this later.
What Happened to NewJeans & HYBE: The Battle that May Seem Impossible
So, what happened to NewJeans? No, NewJeans did not leave HYBE, and they did not really disband just yet.
What really happened for now is that NewJeans has stepped into the most complex and costly legal challenge any 4th-gen group has ever faced with a massive giant in the K-pop industry: HYBE.
They’re still under HYBE. Still part of the system. But today, they have also become something more: a case study in what happens when idols try to hold that system accountable—without losing themselves in the process.
And maybe, just maybe, this trial will do more than determine a contract.
It might change the rules for everyone who follows.
Don’t you think so too? Please share your opinions on what happened to NewJeans and HYBE in the comments below. Let us know what you think.
Join us on Kpoppost’s Instagram, Threads, Facebook, X, Telegram channel, WhatsApp Channel and Discord server for discussions. And follow Kpoppost’s Google News for more Korean entertainment news and updates. You can also join our exclusive membership. You might be able to join our upcoming exclusive community events and win exciting prizes!
