Ador, the K-pop record label behind NewJeans, has launched a compensation lawsuit against former member Danielle Marsh, seeking damages of approximately 43.1 billion won (£22m). The Australian-born singer, 20, had her contract terminated on Monday after a year-long dispute that saw the band allege mistreatment and attempt to leave their contract.
The lawsuit also targets an unnamed family member of Marsh and former NewJeans producer Min Hee-jin, whom Ador accuses of bearing “significant responsibility for causing this dispute and for NewJeans’ departure and delayed return”. The total amount sought from the three individuals is reported by Yonhap news agency to be nearly 43.1bn won.
The legal action follows a Seoul district court ruling in March that NewJeans’ five members must honour their contracts with Ador, which run until 2029. The band made headlines in November 2024 when they announced their decision to leave Ador, prompting the company to seek an injunction barring them from commercial activities, which was granted.
Ador stated that Marsh’s contract was terminated as it was “determined that it would be difficult for her to continue as … an artist under Ador”. The label claimed that NewJeans’ members had been “exposed to persistently distorted and biased information”, leading to “significant misunderstandings”. Three of the four remaining members have decided to stay with the label, while member Minji is still in talks.
The dispute erupted after allegations that Hybe, Ador’s parent company, forced out producer Min Hee-jin from her role as CEO. NewJeans members issued an ultimatum demanding her reinstatement, which was rejected, and later went public with grievances of deliberate undermining of their careers. Member Hanni Pham gave emotional testimony to South Korea’s parliament in October, alleging workplace bullying, though the employment ministry later dismissed the complaint, ruling that members were not legally employees.
Fans have rallied behind the group with the slogan “NewJeans is five or nothing”, amid fears the band may split. The case has sparked wider discussions about the rights of K-pop stars as workers, a status they have been legally denied.
