HYBE’s sub-label ADOR has officially responded to a recent report by the New York Times (NYT) regarding the ADOR NewJeans contract.
HYBE and ADOR Refute NYT Claims
On November 5 (local time), the US media outlet NYT reported that it had obtained the exclusive contract signed by the NewJeans members in 2022. According to the report, the contract allegedly lacked child protection clauses, included cost-bearing provisions for skin care, plastic surgery, and body correction by the members, and contained clauses allowing the use of members’ names, likenesses, and voices even after contract termination.
In response, ADOR released an official statement on the same day, refuting the NYT report point by point and correcting the facts. HYBE stated that its sub-labels enter into a national standard adolescent supplementary agreement with trainees to guarantee personal rights, sleeping rights, and educational rights until they reach adulthood, and that NewJeans’ exclusive contract also includes basic human rights protection clauses encompassing these elements.
Contract Negotiation Process and Terms
ADOR explained that the contract negotiation process took place over three months of extensive discussions. The label revealed that while an objection raised by a member’s motherβsuggesting that a clause requiring immediate notification to the company upon any tampering attemptsβwas not reflected, she ultimately accepted the explanation, stating, "Thank you for the sincere response. We have no other opinions on the feedback provided." Furthermore, ADOR noted that it was the then-vice president of ADOR who rejected the HYBE legal team’s proposal to reduce cost burdens.
Regarding the controversial penalty clause for breach of contract, ADOR emphasized that its economic effect is identical to the standard contract. Because substantial revenue was generated immediately after debut, the clause applies exclusively in cases where the company is faithfully fulfilling its obligations yet the artist unilaterally terminates the contract during the term or violates major contents for the purpose of termination.
Clarifications on CCTV, Education, and IP Rights
ADOR also clarified that CCTVs are installed solely in common areas like practice rooms for safety and crime prevention, and that education strictly respects the personal and parental wishes of the artists. Regarding intellectual property and AI content utilization, ADOR stressed that individual consent from the artists is mandatory and that they have no intention or plan to violate laws regarding IP usage after contract termination.
Concluding its statement, ADOR expressed deep regret that confidential contract documents and litigation materials held exclusively by parties involved were leaked to foreign media and used as a tool to attack K-pop, prompting the company to issue a detailed explanation.
