In a dramatic escalation of a long-running dispute, the K-pop label Ador has filed a civil lawsuit seeking a staggering £22.1 million (43.1 billion won) in damages against former NewJeans member Danielle Marsh, a member of her family, and the label's former CEO, Min Hee Jin.
A Contract Terminated and a Lawsuit Filed
The legal action was filed on Monday, 31 December 2025, the same day Ador publicly announced it had terminated its exclusive contract with Danielle Marsh. According to reports from Channel News Asia, the label alleges that the 20-year-old artist entered into arrangements that conflicted with her contractual obligations, which were "not remedied within the given timeframe."
Ador, a sub-label of the South Korean entertainment giant HYBE, stated it had held extensive talks with Danielle and her family, as well as other members, before concluding it would be "difficult for her to continue as a NewJeans member and Ador artist." The lawsuit seeks penalty fees and damages, claiming the actions of Danielle, her family member, and Min Hee Jin caused the dispute, the group's departure, and significant delays in their activities.
Background: From NJZ to Courtroom Battles
This lawsuit is the latest chapter in a bitter conflict that began in April 2024. At that time, HYBE accused then-Ador CEO and NewJeans' creative director, Min Hee Jin, of attempting to make the label independent. This triggered an internal audit and her eventual dismissal.
In response, the members of NewJeans—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—unilaterally declared their contracts with Ador invalid, accusing the agency of failing to protect them. The group sought to rebrand and operate independently under the name NJZ, even debuting a new song at ComplexCon Hong Kong and announcing an indefinite hiatus.
Ador denied all allegations of mistreatment and filed a suit to confirm the contracts' validity. In a pivotal ruling in October 2025, a Seoul court sided with Ador, declaring the exclusive contracts binding until at least 2029 and ordering the members to halt independent activities.
The Fractured Future of NewJeans
The court's verdict seemed to pave the way for a reconciliation, but Monday's announcements have clarified the group's fractured state. In November, Ador confirmed that Haerin and Hyein would continue with the label. Following the latest statement, Hanni has also decided to remain with Ador after "lengthy, in-depth discussions."
The status of Minji is described as unresolved, with the label stating they are "currently in discussions" to broaden mutual understanding. Danielle, however, is now definitively out, marking a devastating blow for fans hoping for a full reunion of the original five-member group that took the world by storm after their 2022 debut.
Ador's statement also offered a new perspective on the rift, claiming: "Through discussions, we learned the members had long been exposed to distorted and biased information, leading to misunderstandings about the company and the dispute." The Independent has approached HYBE for comment on the latest developments.
