It has been confirmed that the major law firm previously representing both former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin and former NewJeans member Danielle has withdrawn from one of the cases.
According to a February 5 report by SPOTV News, law firm Yoon & Yang LLC (Hwa Woo) had been serving as Min Hee Jin’s legal representative but submitted its resignation on January 5. Last December, HYBE notified Danielle of the termination of her exclusive contract, stating that it had determined she could no longer continue activities as a NewJeans member and ADOR artist. HYBE further announced that it would pursue legal action against one member of Danielle’s family and former CEO Min Hee Jin, whom it holds primarily responsible for the current dispute, Danielle’s departure from NewJeans, and delays in the group’s return.
HYBE subsequently filed a lawsuit seeking 43.1 billion KRW (about 29.6 million USD) in damages and contractual penalties against Danielle, a member of her family, and Min Hee Jin. Facing the massive claim, Danielle and her family initially chose Hwa Woo as their legal counsel. Min Hee Jin also appointed the same firm in preparation for legal action. Danielle later added attorney Jung Jong Chae of another law firm as an additional representative. During this process, Hwa Woo submitted its notice of resignation regarding Min Hee Jin’s representation. Afterward, Min Hee Jin newly appointed attorney Kim Sun Woong of law firm Jiam Law Firm.
In other related cases, including the lawsuit over NewJeans’ exclusive contract termination and the dispute between Min Hee Jin and HYBE over the termination of their shareholders’ agreement, both Danielle and Min Hee Jin have been represented by Shin & Kim (Sejong). Their decision to take different legal paths in the 43.1 billion KRW (about 29.6 million USD) damages suit has drawn attention. A representative from Min Hee Jin’s side told SPOTV News, “She never appointed Hwa Woo as her legal representative. On the contrary, we understand that the firm apologized over a unilateral issue regarding legal representation.”
Attorney Jung Jong Chae, who was newly appointed as Danielle’s legal representative, had previously expressed a pessimistic view regarding NewJeans’ contract dispute. On his YouTube channel “Jung Byeonro & Case (LAW&CASE),” he stated, “If NewJeans cannot prove a serious contractual violation by ADOR, the chances of winning the lawsuit are very low.”
He added that, under the Ministry of Culture’s standard exclusive contract for singers, if an artist unilaterally breaches a contract without fault on the agency’s side, they may be required to pay a penalty calculated by multiplying the average revenue of two years by the remaining contract period. He warned that if such a clause applies to NewJeans, the penalty could reach hundreds of billions of won. He also used highly provocative expressions suggesting the group could face financial ruin.
The fact that an attorney who had previously made such negative assessments is now representing Danielle and a family member in a lawsuit totaling 43.1 billion KRW (about 29.6 million USD) has also drawn public interest. Earlier, NewJeans’ full group activities fell through following Danielle’s removal. Currently, members Haerin, Hyein, and Hanni have returned to ADOR, while Minji is reportedly still in discussions with the agency regarding her return.
Meanwhile, Min Hee Jin recently held what was described as a “press conference without Min Hee Jin,” maintaining her innocence regarding the NewJeans tampering allegations. Her legal representative, Kim Sun Woong, claimed that the alleged tampering involving NewJeans was “a public deception orchestrated by a family member of one NewJeans member and a specific company in an attempt to boost stock prices or manipulate the market,” asserting that Min Hee Jin is also a victim.
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