Key takeaways:

• South Korea's court orders K-pop group NewJeans to suspend independent activities.
• The ruling supports their label Ador's legal claim, limiting the group's autonomy.
• NewJeans plans to challenge the court's decision, citing a breakdown of trust with Ador.

A South Korean court has ruled that the popular K-pop group NewJeans, now rebranded as NJZ, must cease all independent activities following an ongoing legal dispute with their record label, Ador. This decision was issued by the Seoul Central District Court on April 1, 2024, and is seen as a significant setback for the group's aspirations to operate independently without label oversight.

The ruling comes after Ador filed a successful injunction in January, which claimed that the group's attempts to secure independent engagements would threaten the stability of the South Korean music industry. The court stated that NewJeans, comprised of members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein, cannot conduct any activities ranging from producing music to entering advertising contracts without the label's consent. In its statement, Ador asserted its commitment to support the group moving forward, emphasizing their role as NewJeans' exclusive agency Source.

The tension between NewJeans and Ador traces back to a series of conflicts involving allegations of mistreatment and a reported lack of trust in the label's management style. The group publicly announced their intention to leave Ador in November last year, expressing dissatisfaction with their treatment, including accusations of workplace harassment and emotional distress linked to the label’s handling of their careers Source.

Despite the court's ruling, the members of NJZ have expressed their intention to contest the decision, arguing it fails to acknowledge the "complete breakdown of trust" they have experienced. In an Instagram statement, they remarked, "we believe that it is only a matter of time before the truth becomes clear," while emphasizing their commitment to demonstrate that they upheld their contractual obligations throughout the dispute Source.

The verdict has placed a cloud over their upcoming performance at the ComplexCon Hong Kong festival, which is expected to be pivotal for the group as they attempt to navigate this challenging period while upholding their identity as artists. Ador, in a show of goodwill, has promised comprehensive support for the group's endeavors during this turbulent time, though the future of their independent identity remains uncertain.

For more information on this significant K-pop controversy, read the full articles from BBC, South China Morning Post, and Channel News Asia.