New Jeans' Danielle Faces Lawsuit After ADOR Terminates Contract, Penalty Estimated At 100 Billion South Korean Won

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ongoing turmoil between ADOR and NewJeans has taken a dramatic legal turn, with member Danielle now facing a lawsuit that could have massive financial consequences. On December 29, ADOR officially confirmed that it has terminated Danielle’s exclusive contract and is preparing to pursue legal action against her. The development marks one of the most serious escalations in the prolonged dispute involving the agency, its artists, and former CEO Min Hee-Jin, drawing intense attention from the K-pop industry and fans worldwide. Now, it is come to surface that Danielle might have to pay an astronomical amount in penalty and damages!

Lawsuit filed against Danielle

According to SPOTV News, ADOR stated on December 29 that it is moving ahead with a lawsuit against Danielle. The agency confirmed, “We plan to file a lawsuit today seeking penalty fees and damages against Danielle.” Earlier the same day, ADOR had formally notified Danielle of the termination of her exclusive contract, effectively announcing her removal from NewJeans.In a strongly worded statement, ADOR further said, “We plan to hold legally accountable one member of Danielle’s family and former CEO Min Hee-Jin, who bear significant responsibility for causing this dispute, Danielle’s departure from NewJeans, and the delay in her return.” The agency has maintained that external interference played a key role in the ongoing conflict and Danielle’s separation from the group.

Danielle to pay hundreds of crores in fine?

Industry and legal experts have warned that the financial implications for Danielle could be staggering. Estimates in Koreaboo suggest that she may face a penalty of up to 100 billion KRW (approximately $69.2 million USD or Rs 625 crore). This calculation is based on standard K-pop contract structures, which often consider an agency’s average revenue multiplied by the remaining duration of the contract.ADOR’s contract with NewJeans reportedly runs until July 31, 2029, leaving roughly four and a half years remaining. With ADOR’s 2024 revenue exceeding 111 billion KRW (around $76.8 million USD), legal analysis estimates that the penalty could reach approximately 108 billion KRW (about $74.7 million USD) per member.Crucially, this penalty is separate from damages. Under Korean law, penalties can be claimed independently of compensation for losses caused by alleged contract breaches, although courts retain the authority to reduce amounts deemed excessive. With ADOR confirming plans to seek both penalties and damages, Danielle now faces a legal battle that could significantly impact her career and finances.

What happens to other NewJeans members?

The situation unfolds amid ADOR’s broader legal battle involving the members of NewJeans. After winning a lawsuit that confirmed the validity of the exclusive contracts of all five members, ADOR entered discussions with them regarding their return to the agency. Haerin and Hyein were the first to announce their return through ADOR, while Minji, Hanni, and Danielle initially declared their positions through legal representatives. On December 29, it was revealed that Hanni has now agreed to return, while Minji remains in discussions. Danielle, however, now finds herself at the centre of a separate legal action.