The group NewJeans' independent activities have become virtually impossible. The court dismissed the provisional injunction filed by the members, leading NewJeans to a complex crossroads where they cannot easily move forward.

On the 17th, the Seoul High Court's Civil Division No. 25-2 (Presiding Judge Director General Hwang Byung-ha, Jeong Jong-gwan, Lee Kyun-yong) dismissed the provisional injunction filed by the NewJeans members.

This is a result of the court accepting the earlier provisional injunction application filed by ADOR against the five members of NewJeans for 'preserving the status of the agency and prohibiting the signing of advertising contracts.'

At that time, the members objected to the provisional injunction application and filed a petition, but the court dismissed it, and the members immediately appealed, continuing their legal battle.

However, with this appeal also dismissed, NewJeans can no longer engage in independent activities without prior approval or consent from ADOR.

Moreover, the court accepted ADOR's additional application for indirect compulsion. Accordingly, if NewJeans continues entertainment activities secretly without ADOR's consent, they will face a fine of 1 billion won for each violation. If all members proceed with independent activities, they could incur a maximum liability of 5 billion won in damages. Legally and financially, independent activities have effectively become impossible.

Despite this situation, NewJeans has shown no intention of returning. On the 5th, during the hearing for the verification of the validity of the exclusive contract, the members clearly stated, 'The trust relationship has already been destroyed,' adding, 'We have crossed a river that cannot be returned.'

Meanwhile, NewJeans has completely halted activities since their performance at 'ComplexCon' in Hong Kong in March. After the performance, they officially stated, 'This stage seems to be the last performance for the time being. We have decided to respect the court's decision and stop activities,' effectively announcing a temporary halt to independent activities. Since then, they have moved without any contact with ADOR, indicating that the conflict has deepened.

The court currently recognizes ADOR's status as an agency until the first trial verdict on the ongoing verification of the validity of the exclusive contract is reached and has indicated that the members' unilateral activities could be viewed as a breach of contract.

As a result, many are focusing on the future moves of NewJeans. The direction of future activities is likely to be determined by the outcome of the invalidity lawsuit regarding the exclusive contract, but it is still uncertain when that will be.

'In a situation where we can't leave or return,' NewJeans' next step remains shrouded in uncertainty.

[Photo] OSEN DB

[OSEN]