Despite a court ruling prohibiting them from engaging in independent entertainment activities, NewJeans (NJZ) pushed forward with the release of new songs under an unauthorized team name and declared a temporary halt to their activities, sparking controversy. Their agency, ADOR, immediately responded, calling the move "a unilateral decision."

On March 23 at 7:30 PM (local time), NewJeans performed at ComplexCon in Hong Kong under the name "NJZ" and sold merchandise using this brand. The group has been using the name "NJZ" since November last year, following their unilateral declaration to terminate their exclusive contracts with ADOR. 

In response, ADOR filed for an injunction to prohibit the members from engaging in commercial activities under NJZ without the agency’s consent. The court fully accepted ADOR’s request on March 21. However, just two days later, NewJeans took actions that directly contradicted the court’s decision.

During the concert, the members introduced themselves individually, avoiding any direct mention of a group name. However, the performance of their new song "PIT STOP" featured "NJZ" displayed on the background screen, and the event organizers repeatedly referred to them as NJZ in promotional materials.

Following their new song performance, the members announced, “Today may be our last stage for a while,” stating that they had decided to "pause activities out of respect for the court's decision." This declaration signals their refusal to continue under the name "NewJeans" and their intention to remain inactive until the legal dispute is resolved. The members added, “This wasn’t an easy decision, but it’s necessary right now. This is about protecting ourselves so we can come back stronger. Thank you for your love and support. We will keep moving forward,” shedding tears as they spoke.

Multiple sources in the entertainment industry revealed to Chosun Ilbo that the members did not inform ADOR in advance about their decision to halt activities. ADOR, unaware of this plan, sent its staff to the Hong Kong venue to support NewJeans as their official agency. ADOR also informed the event organizers that this was a performance by “NewJeans,” not "NJZ," and attempted to contact the members, but they were unable to meet them.

On March 24, ADOR released a statement expressing deep regret over the group’s decision to perform under an unauthorized name and unilaterally announce a hiatus despite the court’s ruling. The agency wrote, “We remain committed to doing our best for NewJeans under the valid exclusive contract. We hope to meet with the artists soon to discuss their future."

In the K-pop industry, some speculate that NewJeans' sudden announcement may have been influenced by criticism from an international interview they conducted before the concert. On March 22, TIME published an interview where the members voiced disappointment over the court ruling, saying, “This is the reality in Korea,” and “It feels like Korea wants to turn us into revolutionaries.” These remarks sparked backlash online, with netizens commenting, “They claim to be resolving a group dispute but are criticizing the entire K-pop industry,” and calling them a “group above the law.”

Legal experts warn that NewJeans' unilateral actions could negatively impact their ongoing contract dispute. Attorney Jang Hee Jin of Garoje Law Firm explained, “Even if NewJeans appeals, the injunction remains legally effective. Ignoring it could result in increased penalty fees and compensation claims in the main lawsuit.” Jang also noted that while ADOR may not immediately pursue legal action, the agency could potentially request a court-imposed fine for non-compliance, citing the group’s unauthorized performance and merchandise sales as grounds for such a claim.

SEE ALSO: NJZ announces temporary hiatus following court decision