On March 21, the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of ADOR, denying NJZ (formerly NewJeans)’s request to suspend their exclusive contract. As a result, the group is legally restricted from pursuing independent activities outside ADOR’s control.
The court cited a lack of sufficient evidence to justify breaking the contract. Meanwhile, ADOR welcomed the ruling, stating they would continue managing the group as agreed.
In a TIME interview, NJZ members expressed disappointment, calling the process emotionally draining. They criticized structural issues in the K-pop industry, saying idols are often treated more like products than people.
The ruling has since sparked a wave of reactions both in Korea and abroad — revealing a sharp divide in how the public perceives NJZ’s actions and message.
Korean Reactions: “This Isn’t a Revolution — It’s Just Arrogance”
Korean netizens were overwhelmingly critical of NJZ, condemning the group’s actions as immature, arrogant, and legally unfounded. The most upvoted comments strongly defended contractual obligations and emphasized the need for professionalism.
Top Korean Comments (Source : Nate)
“Are they out of their minds? So self-absorbed.” (👍 520 )
“If we approve this, no one will ever invest in entertainment ventures again.” (👍 503 )
“They’re just entertainers, nothing more.” (👍 419 )
“It wasn’t HYBE—they were betrayed by Min Hee-jin.” (👍 108 )
“The scariest people are those who read one book and think they know everything.” (👍 96 )
“No matter how unfair it seems, a contract is still a contract.” (👍 93 )
Global Reactions: “No Evidence, Just Crocodile Tears”
On platforms like Reddit, international commenters mocked NJZ’s legal loss and ridiculed the group’s credibility. Most saw the court ruling as a confirmation that NJZ lacked valid evidence and had overdramatized their situation.
Top Global Comments (Source : allkpop)
“The court shut down all of NJZ’s claims and even cleared ILLIT’s name… This will benefit HYBE and ADOR in future lawsuits.” (👍 38)
“Their fans are silent now. Looks like this is just the beginning of the end.” (👍 21)
“ADOR had solid evidence. NJZ never did. Hanni looks foolish now—and deservedly so.” (👍 19)
“It’s satisfying to see awful people and bullies get what they deserve.” (👍 17)
“Unfortunately, this is the beginning of the end for them.” (👍 16)
“NJZ fans will never accept the truth, even when it’s right in front of them. They deserve our pity.” (👍 10)
Final Thoughts: Public Opinion Turns Cold, Globally and Locally
The court ruling has not only halted NJZ’s independent ambitions, but also exposed how deeply public opinion has shifted.
In Korea, netizens emphasized the importance of legal responsibility and professional conduct. NJZ’s actions were seen as ungrateful and reckless, challenging the very foundations of contractual trust in K-pop.
In the global space, once-sympathetic international audiences grew increasingly skeptical. Emotional appeals, including tears in interviews, were dismissed as manipulative, with commenters mocking the group’s attempts to reframe themselves as victims.
While NJZ may have hoped to lead a wave of reform in the entertainment industry, the reality is stark: their messaging fell flat, their evidence was lacking, and both domestic and international voices are calling them out.
If NJZ wants to rebuild credibility, it will take more than just legal appeals—it will take a complete shift in public perception, backed by transparency, maturity, and perhaps most importantly, humility.