NewJeans Caught in Legal Crossfire: Is Their Golden Era Slipping Away?
NewJeans, once a shining beacon in K-pop, now finds itself entangled in a legal dispute, raising concerns about their rapidly diminishing prime.
Since their explosive debut in 2022 with 'Attention' and 'Hype Boy,' NewJeans captivated the globe with their fresh sound and unique aesthetic, soaring to unprecedented success. However, their name is now more frequently associated with courtrooms and legal documents than with vibrant stages.
Fans are lamenting the situation, with some self-deprecatingly calling the group 'Old Jeans' as their peak period seems to be sidelined by ongoing legal battles.
Recently, NewJeans' agency, ADOR, lost the first round of its exclusive contract lawsuit against former representative Min Hee-jin and has announced its intention to appeal. The outlook for future legal proceedings appears uncertain, painting a grim picture for NewJeans, who are effectively immobilized during their prime by contract disputes and court waiting times.
Time is not on NewJeans' side, and their fans are growing weary of the prolonged wait. Lawsuits often act as a whip of time, ensnaring the subject and exacerbating their struggles.
The initial ruling seems unfavorable to former representative Min Hee-jin. The court explicitly stated that she 'used public relations for independence rather than protecting NewJeans.'
This could negatively impact the ongoing 26 billion KRW put option lawsuit with HYBE. Furthermore, numerous pieces of evidence submitted by Source Music seem to refute most of her claims.
Source Music argued that they were the ones who cast the NewJeans members, denying Min Hee-jin's contribution. Video interviews of Haerin's mother, the circumstances of Danielle's agency transfer, and the casting process for Minji and Hyein were all presented as Source Music's records. A rebuttal also stated that it was the defendant (Min Hee-jin) who requested the transfer of NewJeans to ADOR.
In this process, a girl group that was once the epitome of 'NEW' is gradually becoming 'OLD.'
One can only wonder what it would have been like if NewJeans' musical activities had been guaranteed, separate from the adult legal disputes. To achieve this, the NewJeans members might have needed to exercise greater discretion.
While the battle is not over, the current trajectory suggests that their choices and convictions are clipping the once-brilliant wings of NewJeans. It is time for NewJeans to reflect once more on what their fans most want to hear.
Korean netizens express significant sympathy for the NewJeans members, viewing them as the primary victims of the conflict. Comments like, "What did the kids do wrong? I want to see them on stage soon," and "It's pitiful that the kids are suffering because of adults' fights," highlight the frustration and concern over the group's stalled activities.