<Korean News> NewJeans: "Bang Si-hyuk Blocked Our Hong Kong Performance"? ADOR Says "False Claims".

ADOR has refuted allegations that they forced the cancellation of NewJeans' Hong Kong performance.

On February 19, ADOR issued an official statement saying, "ADOR has never pressured the cancellation of NewJeans' Hong Kong performance. Furthermore, HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk has had no involvement or communication regarding this matter."

ADOR further stated, "We requested the event organizers to use the official team name 'NewJeans' and to conduct the performance through ADOR, in accordance with the exclusive contract."

Earlier that day, a NewJeans member representative claimed, "We recently heard from ComplexCon staff that HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk personally called U.S. officials to pressure the cancellation of NJZ's performance. Isn't it too far-fetched to think that today's joint statement from five industry groups is unrelated to this?"

Additionally, they confirmed that "NJZ members will proceed with their scheduled performance at ComplexCon in Hong Kong," signaling their intent to continue independent activities.

On the same day, five major Korean music industry associations jointly issued a statement, criticizing NewJeans and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin's independent activities, warning that "this situation is causing industry-wide confusion and could jeopardize the K-pop industry as a whole."

They urged the Korean government and National Assembly to implement an anti-tampering law to prevent companies from unlawfully poaching artists from their agencies, similar to the Industrial Technology Protection Act, which safeguards core national industries like semiconductors.

In response, NewJeans' side dismissed these claims as "completely misleading and false."

They further asserted, "NJZ members had no choice but to terminate their exclusive contracts due to ADOR and HYBE's actions. Since the contract termination took immediate legal effect, NJZ is no longer bound by ADOR's contract and is free to pursue independent activities."

They emphasized, "This is merely a dispute between a specific agency and its artists, and it does not impact the K-pop industry as a whole."

NewJeans declared contract termination in November due to ADOR’s alleged breach of contract. However, ADOR maintains that the contract is still valid and has filed a lawsuit for contract validity confirmation and an injunction to prevent the group from signing new deals. In response, NewJeans rebranded as "NJZ" and continues to operate independently.