Hybe wins legal battle to keep NewJeans

SEOUL - Hybe won a crucial court ruling affirming its management contract with K-pop act NewJeans, helping the South Korean compa- ny maintain control over one of its most valuable acts.

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The Seoul Central District Court on Oct 30 ruled that Hybe’s label Ador retains exclusive rights to manage the five-member girl group, rejecting NewJeans’ attempt to terminate the agreement and pursue independent activities.

The verdict cements Hybe’s position as the sole agency for NewJeans, ending nearly a year of disputes that roiled the country’s entertainment industry and captivated global fans. The girl group, which tried to rebrand their band identity, would not be able to pursue their own acts until 2029 unless they win in an appeal.

Shares in Hybe, which also manages K-pop boy band BTS, rose more than 7 per cent after the ruling.

The court rejected most of NewJeans’ claims that trust with Ador had been broken, siding instead with the label. It said removing producer Min Hee-jin as Ador’s chief executive officer (CEO) did not create a management vacuum for the group, according to Yonhap News.

The court found insufficient grounds to support the group’s key claims for terminating the contract - namely, Ms Min’s dismissal and Ador’s alleged failure to protect the members.