🔗 2024-12-05 ADOR Official Statement (Full Text) (Regarding Filing of Lawsuit to Confirm Validity of Exclusive Contract)

Hello, this is ADOR.

On December 3, we filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the exclusive contract with the Seoul Central District Court in order to receive clear legal confirmation that our exclusive contract with our artist NewJeans validly subsists.

We did not wish for the issues with our artists to be resolved through a legal judgment; however, we made this inevitable decision based on the judgment that it was necessary to confirm to not only the artists but also various stakeholders that the exclusive contract between the company and the artists is not something that can be lightly terminated based solely on the unilateral claims of one party. Above all, we intend to seek a clear judgment from the court to protect the foundation of the K-pop industry, which has grown based on a healthy relationship of trust between artists and companies, and by extension, the Korean pop culture industry.

It is with a heavy heart that we deliver this news, but this is to prevent the artists from misunderstanding that the exclusive contract has been lawfully terminated and engaging in entertainment activities in a manner that violates the currently existing exclusive contract, or causing unexpected damage and confusion to domestic and international industry officials as a result.

Today’s K-pop has developed through the synergy of two things: the artists’ talent and ceaseless efforts, and the full-scale investment and trust of companies possessing know-how. It is an indispensable characteristic of popular culture, and specifically the K-pop industry, that the company’s support must precede in uncertain situations where success or failure is difficult to gauge beforehand. The company’s preemptive support is based on the expectation and belief that the company and the artist can grow together over a certain period, and the exclusive contract is what was mutually agreed upon based on this premise.

If this basic agreement is not kept, the efforts of companies that have shown absolute trust in the name of investment while enduring uncertainty for a long time will be rendered powerless and cannot be compensated anywhere. In other words, we can no longer expect systematic support, investment, or the advancement of systems in this industry, and we are concerned above all that the virtuous cycle of growth of the K-pop industry, which has developed rapidly through the sweat and dreams of so many people, will be severed.

ADOR’s position that we wish to be with NewJeans remains unchanged even now. Apart from seeking the judgment of the judiciary regarding the validity of the exclusive contract, we believe that sufficient and sincere discussions with the artists are absolutely necessary. Although we have not yet had the opportunity to communicate with the artists despite several earnest requests from ADOR employees, we will make ceaseless efforts to resolve the unnecessary misunderstandings accumulated between the artists and the company. We will do our best to repay those who love NewJeans’ music with better activities. We ask for your support and encouragement so that both ADOR and the NewJeans members can wisely overcome this current situation.