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Agency ADOR has posted a celebratory message for the fandom of girl group NewJeans, despite the ongoing NewJeans contract dispute that has suspended all group activities. On October 29, 2025, the agency used the group’s official Instagram to commemorate the 3rd anniversary of their fandom, “Bunnies,” a move that has drawn attention due to the unresolved legal battle between the two parties.
The Timeline of the NewJeans Contract Dispute
The conflict escalated late last year when, on November 29, 2024, the five members of NewJeans declared their intention to terminate their exclusive contract with ADOR, citing a complete breakdown of trust. In response, ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE, took legal action in January 2025. The agency filed a lawsuit to confirm the contract’s validity and simultaneously sought a preliminary injunction to prevent the members from engaging in independent activities, such as signing new advertising deals.
Court Sides with ADOR, Halting Activities
The legal proceedings reached a critical point in March 2025. The court granted ADOR’s request for a preliminary injunction, effectively freezing all of NewJeans’ entertainment activities. This ruling means the group cannot release music, perform, or participate in promotional events until a final verdict is reached in the main lawsuit. This situation has left the future of the globally popular group in a state of uncertainty. More details on the legal proceedings can be found in this overview of the NewJeans vs. Ador: Legal Battle in the K-pop Industry.
An Ironic Fandom Celebration Amid K-pop Legal Issues
Despite the contentious legal environment, ADOR proceeded with a fandom celebration on October 29, 2025. The agency shared commemorative content and behind-the-scenes photos on NewJeans’ official Instagram to mark “Bunnies Day.” This action has been viewed as deeply ironic by observers, as the agency is simultaneously enforcing a legal injunction that prevents the members from interacting with their fans. The post came shortly after a court-mandated mediation session between NewJeans and ADOR failed, with both sides reportedly unable to reconcile their conflicting positions.
The Unresolved ADOR HYBE Situation
The public gesture by ADOR has left fans confused and frustrated. While the agency maintains control over the group’s official channels, the members themselves remain silent due to the legal restrictions. The role of ADOR’s parent company, HYBE, also remains a point of discussion, although the primary dispute is between the artists and their direct label. The conflict highlights the complexities of K-pop legal issues and the delicate relationship between artists and agencies.
What’s Next for NewJeans?
With mediation failing and the injunction in place, the path forward for NewJeans is dependent on the main lawsuit concerning their contract’s validity. Until the court delivers a final ruling, the group’s activities are indefinitely on hold. The recent anniversary post by ADOR serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing NewJeans contract dispute and the peculiar situation where a group’s brand is active online while the members themselves are sidelined. The outcome of this case will likely have significant implications for artist-agency contracts across the industry.
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