"NewJeans Faces Contract Issues While Shining on YOASOBI’s Stage"

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The legal dispute involving NewJeans has drawn public attention as attorney Lee Ji-hoon, head of Law & More, shared his perspective on his YouTube channel, "The Lawyer You Know." In a video titled "NewJeans is Power | The Ladder-Kicking of the Powerful," Lee explained the implications of the group's exclusive contract termination with ADOR.

According to Lee, NewJeans cannot use the name "NewJeans" or their previously released songs without encountering legal issues. He stated, "If they claim the contract has been terminated, it logically follows that they cannot retain the name or the rights to their released tracks unless they initiate legal proceedings."

Lee further predicted that the real legal disputes would begin after NewJeans fulfills their existing schedules. "Once the pre-planned activities are completed, the actual conflict will emerge. Failing to execute ADOR’s planned schedules could lead to significant risks," he warned.

Highlighting the financial stakes, Lee noted, "Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin reportedly estimated the penalty for taking NewJeans away from the company at up to 620 billion KRW." He clarified that this is a civil, not criminal, issue, emphasizing, "It’s a matter of paying money, which is the simplest problem to resolve. Although it might be unpleasant, financial settlements must be made."

Despite the legal controversy, NewJeans recently appeared as guests at YOASOBI's second Korean concert, held on December 7 at Incheon Inspire Arena. The group performed songs like "How Sweet," "Right Now," and YOASOBI’s hit track "Biri-Biri," alongside YOASOBI.

NewJeans expressed gratitude for the opportunity, with Hyein commenting, "It’s an honor to perform as a guest at YOASOBI’s concert." YOASOBI’s Ikura added, "It’s delightful that our connection from NewJeans’ Tokyo Dome fan meeting led to this performance."

During the event, YOASOBI performed a snippet of NewJeans’ song "Ditto." Minji expressed her admiration for YOASOBI’s music, saying, "I love tracks like 'Hero,' 'Racing into the Night,' 'Monster,' and 'Tracing That Dream.'" She also recommended traditional Korean dishes such as sundae soup and kimchi stew.

YOASOBI later shared a group photo with NewJeans on social media, writing, "Thank you for joining us at YOASOBI’s Asia Tour in Korea, DAY 1! It was the perfect start! Huge thanks to NewJeans for being incredible guests. We had an amazing time!"

A. Write the correct word for each definition.

contract | dispute | settlement | honor | performance

1. A formal agreement between two or more parties: __________
2. A disagreement or argument between two parties: __________
3. A resolution of a disagreement, often involving money: __________
4. A feeling of great respect or privilege: __________
5. A public presentation of a song, play, or other art: __________

B. Read the questions and discuss with your teacher.

1. Why do you think legal issues between celebrities and their agencies are common?
2. Have you ever heard of artists having conflicts with their management? What happened?
3. What would you do if you couldn’t use your own name or creative work anymore?
4. Do you think financial settlements are a fair way to resolve disputes in the entertainment industry? Why or why not?
5. How do collaborations like NewJeans and YOASOBI impact both groups' popularity?

C. Individual Research

Think about how legal conflicts can affect celebrities' careers. List five potential impacts.

1. Damage to their public image.
2. Difficulty continuing creative projects.
3. Financial burdens from legal settlements.
4. Loss of fan trust or support.
5. Delays in future activities and releases.

Answer Key

A.

1. contract
2. dispute
3. settlement
4. honor
5. performance

B.

1. Legal issues often happen because of disputes over contract terms, profit sharing, or creative freedom. Both parties may have different goals, which can lead to conflicts.
2. Yes, such conflicts usually involve disagreements over contract renewals, stage names, or ownership of their work. For example, some artists have had to rebrand themselves after leaving their agency.
3. I would seek legal help to negotiate my rights. If that fails, I might create a new identity or start fresh with new material.
4. Financial settlements can be fair if they compensate both parties appropriately. However, they may not address emotional or creative grievances.
5. Collaborations help both groups reach new audiences, enhance their global presence, and create memorable moments for fans.