Chart-topping Okay-pop group NewJeans introduced Thursday their determination to depart their label ADOR, accusing the corporate of “mistreatment”.
The information comes two weeks after the woman group despatched an ultimatum to ADOR mum or dad firm HYBE—behind Okay-pop sensation BTS—telling the agency they might terminate their contract except a set of calls for was met.
“From midnight at present, our contract can be terminated with ADOR,” member Minji mentioned at a press convention.
NewJeans made their debut in 2022 and the Okay-pop phenomenon is amongst HYBE’s most profitable teams.
Band member Hanni mentioned Thursday the group has “confronted mistreatment, not simply in the direction of us but additionally together with our employees,” with out elaborating.
NewJeans skilled “deliberate miscommunications and manipulation relating to a number of areas,” she mentioned.
“This isn’t the kind of work ethic we respect and never one we wish to be part of, and to proceed working below an organization with no intention of defending NewJeans would solely do us hurt,” mentioned Hanni.
ADOR didn’t instantly reply to AFP requests to touch upon the announcement.
The band members mentioned they might proceed with their contractual obligations, however acknowledged they could now not be capable of use the identify NewJeans.
“Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply that we’re giving up on the identify in any respect,” mentioned Danielle.
“We’ll proceed to struggle for NewJeans. NewJeans by no means die.”
The group’s calls for addressed to HYBE included an apology for a remark by one of many firm’s managers, who’s accused by NewJeans of bullying, and the speedy reinstatement of their producer Min Hee-jin.
Min resigned final week from ADOR’s board of administrators after HYBE accused her of breach of belief, which sparked a sprawling authorized and PR battle.
‘Predetermined consequence’
Business consultants mentioned the choice by NewJeans was anticipated.
“The contract termination lawsuit itself has been broadly anticipated available in the market, so at present’s press convention, in a means, appears to have a predetermined consequence,” mentioned Lim Soo-jin, an analyst at Daishin Securities.
“Leisure analysts have typically excluded NewJeans-related projections from subsequent 12 months’s estimates, so the general influence shouldn’t be anticipated to be substantial,” he informed AFP.
The hefty charge which NewJeans could should pay will compensate for “monetary loss” on the label, he added.
The Okay-pop group could should face a contractual penalty of as much as 620 billion received ($440 million) in accordance with authorized consultants.
The band members, nonetheless, disagree.
“Now we have not breached the unique contract and have carried out our greatest in our actions thus far, so we imagine there isn’t any motive for us to pay any penalty,” mentioned band member Haerin.
“Quite the opposite, it’s ADOR and HYBE that violated the contract, resulting in this case, and the duty clearly lies with them.”
