NewJeans and ADOR are in the midst of a legal dispute, with NewJeans seeking to terminate their contract. Here is a brief timeline of events:
2024
- April 22: ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin accuses HYBE of “undermining” NewJeans’ success.
- September: NewJeans calls for Min Hee-jin’s reinstatement, stating they won’t continue with ADOR without her leadership.
- November: NewJeans holds an emotional press conference announcing their departure from ADOR and accusing the label of manipulation and harassment.
- December 4: ADOR files a lawsuit to verify the validity of NewJeans’ contracts.
- December 6: NewJeans responds, reiterating their right to terminate contracts and accusing ADOR of harassment.
2025
- February: NewJeans announces their name change to NJZ.
- March 6: NJZ claims ADOR is requesting the court to ban them from all “entertainment activities.”
- March 7: All five NJZ members attend the first hearing for the legal feud with HYBE.
- March 21: Seoul Central District Court rules in favor of ADOR’s injunction request, prohibiting NewJeans members from engaging in independent activities.
- March 21: NJZ announces plans to appeal the court’s decision.
- March 23: NewJeans halts promotions as NJZ after being the headliner at ComplexCon in Hong Kong.
- April 3: A full hearing on the lawsuit filed by ADOR is scheduled.
NewJeans released their final statement:
The Issue of Professional Boundaries
Looking at the timeline and the group’s statements, the relationship between NewJeans and Min Hee-Jin appears to go beyond the typical artist-agency dynamic. While a CEO might maintain a friendly relationship with idols, there are professional boundaries that exist for a reason. The CEO is an executive, not a member of the group.
What Does a CEO Do?
A CEO is responsible for:
- Managing the overall operations of a company
- Making major corporate decisions
- Acting as the main point of communication between the board of directors
- Expanding the company and driving profitability
The CEO is not an artist, mentor, or mother figure. There are several levels of management between a CEO and the idols within an entertainment company. However, NewJeans’ statements suggest they see Min Hee-Jin as an irreplaceable part of their group, which raises concerns about blurred professional boundaries.
For example, Danielle’s statement:
“Min Hee-jin is considered one of our members. It feels like one of our members has been hurt right now. I am so scared that we will lose our CEO. Although we are five, we are no different than being six members. No matter what, we want to be together with Min Hee-jin.”
Or Hyein’s statement:
“The current ADOR feels dark and uncertain. I cannot stay at ADOR and show insincere work to the public, as ADOR took away the future we envisioned with Min without proper reason.”
This level of attachment is unusual. A CEO and a music group are not equals, nor should they function as a unit. The board of directors, not the artists, determines who serves as CEO. Checks and balances exist to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure fair decision-making.
The Problem with Their Demand
By demanding that Min Hee-Jin remain CEO, NewJeans has placed ADOR in an impossible position. If the company reinstates her, it risks appearing as though it caters to artist demands rather than corporate governance. If it refuses, the group remains dissatisfied, as their condition for staying is not met. This creates a deadlock where no resolution can fully satisfy both parties.
Additionally, this emotional entanglement may cloud NewJeans’ judgment about their future. Are they making decisions based on professional interests, or is their loyalty to Min Hee-Jin driving them toward choices that could limit their careers?
In the End…
Ultimately, this case highlights the importance of professional boundaries in entertainment. The bond between artists and executives can be positive, but when it becomes deeply personal, it raises ethical and professional concerns about influence, independence, and long-term career stability. Maintaining professional detachment is essential for both business leaders and artists to make objective decisions that support long-term success. As someone with a Master’s Degree in Business, I recognize the necessity of these boundaries and the risks involved when they are blurred.
