Two prominent K-pop groups, NewJeans and EXO, are still caught in a contract dispute with their agencies, and the conflict shows no signs of resolution. As the situation drags on, the disappointment and fatigue of fans waiting for the groups to return continue to grow.
Since former CEO Min Hee-jin's dismissal last year, tensions between NewJeans and Ador have escalated. The members declared the termination of their contracts in November 2023 and announced a name change to 'NJZ' to signal their independent activities. In response, Ador filed a legal suit to affirm the validity of the original contract, aiming to halt their independent actions.
On the 30th, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that "the dismissal of former CEO Min alone does not constitute a breach of contract," deeming the contract still valid and siding with Ador. The court also dismissed claims of unfair treatment against HYBE that NewJeans raised, acknowledging some circumstances where Min tried to gain independence and initiated a PR campaign through her parents.
Shortly after the ruling, Ador expressed its satisfaction, stating, "Attempts to escape the contract by creating a breakdown of trust should not be allowed." Furthermore, they revealed their readiness to resume activities, mentioning that preparations for a regular album release were complete.
Meanwhile, NewJeans stated, "Returning under circumstances where trust has completely collapsed is impossible," and they immediately appealed the decision. Although they lost in court, the chances of returning to their agency seem slim.
EXO is also facing renewed internal conflicts regarding their full group activities. SM Entertainment announced that the year-end fan meeting and activities for their eighth studio album would proceed with six members, excluding Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin (collectively known as ChenBaekXi), reigniting tensions.
ChenBaekXi expressed their willingness to join the team as per the existing agreement, but SM declined their participation, citing the deterioration of trust due to multiple disputes. The reason was that ChenBaekXi did not comply with the agreement to pay 10% of their individual activity earnings to SM.
In response, ChenBaekXi refuted, stating that SM did not fulfill the promised conditions during the agreement. Legal disputes and objections continue to linger. ChenBaekXi's agency, INB100, expressed regret, stating, "We apologize for the confusion caused to the fans, and negotiations for full group activities are ongoing."
Both groups have massive global fandoms, leading to increasing disappointment among fans, though some support persists with messages like "We will welcome them back at any time." However, the prolonged legal battles have made the likelihood of a comeback seem uncertain, spreading fatigue and cynicism among fans.
As two representative K-pop groups face the challenge of regaining the trust that has been broken, fans worldwide are watching closely to see if they will be able to return to the stage with smiles once again.