Former NewJeans' Member Danielle Responds to ADOR's $29 Million Lawsuit at First Court Hearing in Seoul

Former NewJeans member Danielle Marsh's legal team pushed back against ADOR's 43.09 billion KRW (approximately $29 million) damages lawsuit during the first preparatory hearing held on the morning of Mar. 26 at the Seoul Central District Court, calling for a swift resolution and accusing the agency of deliberately dragging out the proceedings.

Civil Agreement Division 31, presided over by Judge Nam In-soo, held the hearing after the court rejected ADOR's earlier attempt to postpone it from Mar. 26 to Apr. 30. The hearing marked the formal start of legal proceedings in one of the K-pop industry's most closely watched contract disputes.

Danielle's attorney argued that a prolonged lawsuit would cause serious harm to her entertainment career. "Given the nature of the idol industry, if the lawsuit is prolonged, damage is inevitable," her legal representatives stated, according to AllKpop.

They also argued that the inclusion of her family member and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin as defendants "can be interpreted as an intention to prolong the case."

ADOR responded by stating that the lawsuit concerns damages and penalties, and that Danielle "can decide to continue her entertainment activities" regardless of the case.

When the court asked whether a settlement was possible, ADOR said it "would not say there is absolutely no possibility." Danielle's side expressed skepticism, saying it was the first time they had heard talk of a settlement after such a large penalty lawsuit had been filed, MK reported.

The court encouraged both parties to keep the door open to mediation and set the next hearing dates for May 14 and Jul. 2. Danielle's legal team said it hopes to conclude arguments within those dates.

ADOR filed the lawsuit in December 2025 after terminating Danielle's exclusive contract, claiming that she and Min Hee-jin bear responsibility for triggering the dispute that led to NewJeans members' departure and delayed their return. The 20-year-old Australian-born singer was removed from the group after ADOR concluded it could no longer work with her.

Currently, three members, Haerin, Hyein, and Hanni, have returned to ADOR, while Minji is reportedly still negotiating the terms of her return, according to BBC News. Danielle remains the only member whose contract was terminated rather than enforced.