CCTV Footage Released: Did ILLIT Members Really Snub NJZ’s Hanni?

The ongoing legal dispute between ADOR and NJZ (formerly NewJeans) took a new turn as CCTV footage and private text messages were presented in court. The footage was released following claims by Hanni that a manager from ILLIT had allegedly told the group to "ignore" her.

On March 7, the Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Agreement Division 50 (Presiding Judge Kim Sang-hoon) held a hearing regarding ADOR’s injunction to maintain its status as the group's agency and to prohibit the members from signing independent advertising contracts. All five NJZ members—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—were present at the hearing.

CCTV Footage and ADOR’s Argument

The CCTV footage from May 27, 2024, submitted by ADOR as evidence, reportedly showed ILLIT members bowing at a 90-degree angle to Hanni. ADOR’s legal team emphasized that the CCTV had no audio recording capabilities, making it impossible to verify whether the alleged "ignore them" comment was actually made.

Additionally, ADOR accused former CEO Min Hee-jin of orchestrating a rift between the NJZ members and the company. To support this claim, they presented text message exchanges between Min Hee-jin and Hanni.

In the conversation, Min Hee-jin allegedly asked Hanni, "Did ILLIT's manager spoke to ignore you?" to which Hanni responded, "I’m not sure." ADOR’s attorney argued that Hanni herself did not perceive the situation as a major issue, yet Min Hee-jin escalated it into a full-blown controversy by framing it as a "deliberate snub."

ADOR Alleges Min Hee-jin Manipulated NJZ’s Actions

ADOR further asserted that Min Hee-jin was operating behind the scenes, influencing NJZ’s decisions. They claimed that Min Hee-jin had told the members that "HYBE is trying to destroy you," fueling distrust.

ADOR argued that by framing incidents such as HYBE's PR team statements, ILLIT’s greeting controversy, and plagiarism allegations in a particular way, Min Hee-jin had led the NJZ members to misunderstand the situation and turn against the company.

NJZ Members Take a Firm Stand Against ADOR

Despite the legal battle, the NJZ members remain firm in their stance that they can no longer work with ADOR. Their legal team reaffirmed that the group has no intention of returning to the company.

NJZ publicly distanced themselves from ADOR in a press conference on November 28, 2023, citing unresolved issues with the company. The following day, November 29, they began operating independently and on February 7, 2024, officially rebranded as NJZ.

ADOR’s Counterargument: Contract Violations and K-Pop Industry Impact

ADOR has countered that NJZ’s independent activities violate their exclusive contract and argued that contract enforcement is crucial for the stability of the K-pop industry’s business model.

"Ensuring exclusive contract periods is the foundation of the K-pop industry. Undermining this system disrupts the industry's sustainable cycle," ADOR stated. They further argued that if NJZ abides by their contractual obligations, they can restore their reputation and continue their legacy.

Additionally, ADOR dismissed NJZ’s demand for Min Hee-jin to remain in charge, stating: "Deciding the CEO is a matter for the board, not something an artist can demand. Nowhere in the contract does it state that the members can terminate their agreement if Min Hee-jin is not involved."

Court Proceedings and Next Steps

The court has set March 14 as the deadline for both parties to submit additional evidence and materials. Additionally, NJZ has been requested to submit a detailed list of reasons for terminating their contract. The case continues to unfold as both sides fiercely defend their positions.