"It's getting weird" - Internet reacts to K-media reports after Minji & Danielle seemingly avoid press questions during NewJeans vs. ADOR mediation

Recently, netizens reacted to NewJeans members Minji and Danielle attending a closed-door mediation session at the Seoul Central District Court regarding their ongoing contract dispute with ADOR. The August 14, 2025, session was held under the 41st Civil Agreement Division and lasted around one hour and twenty minutes.

Security was tight during the event, with barricades set up outside the courtroom. Despite the private nature of the proceedings, reporters managed to surround Minji and Danielle as they entered, asking them questions about the case. As per Star News, the members did not engage with the reporters beyond saying that they could not comment before entering the venue.

The court had previously requested the attendance of members with decision-making authority, leading to Minji and Danielle's appearance. The mediation ended without an agreement, with another session scheduled for September 11.

If talks fail again, a verdict could be announced on October 30 without further arguments. NewJeans has maintained that their trust in ADOR has been irreparably damaged. They have also stated a willingness to negotiate only under conditions that would revert the agency to its structure prior to the removal of former CEO Min Hee-jin.

The scene outside the court quickly went viral on the internet, sparking debates among netizens.

Some fans praised Minji and Danielle for keeping their composure and not engaging with what they saw as unnecessary press questions during a confidential legal process.

Others criticized the media for broadcasting footage from a closed mediation and physically crowding the idols' path. A portion of the fandom also expressed confusion and concern over the legal situation. They admitted they were unsure what the long-term implications for the group would be.

Background on the dispute and case developments between NewJeans & ADOR

Hyein, Haerin, Danielle, Hanni, and Minji of NewJeans at the photocall for YOUSER at Seoul Fashion Week S/S 2025 (Image via Getty)

The ongoing mediation is part of ADOR's lawsuit to confirm the validity of NewJeans' exclusive contract. The conflict stems from a deepening rift between the group and the label following the ousting of Min Hee-jin in August 2024.

This followed after HYBE accused her of attempting to seize management control. ADOR has stated it invested heavily in the group, claiming to provide significant financial support for their debut and promotional activities. The label also argued that the members' termination of the contract violates its terms.

NewJeans' side has countered by saying that the current ADOR, now overseen by HYBE-appointed staff, is not the same as the agency that nurtured their success. They have also raised issues such as alleged plagiarism by another HYBE label, the handling of the "ignore" controversy involving member Hanni, and what they claim to be retaliatory audits.

Their lawyers have insisted that their main request is to restore ADOR to its pre-2024 state, not to reject the agency entirely.

The dispute has escalated further in recent days. ADOR has reportedly removed all references to NewJeans from its official website, redirecting visitors to a separate audition page with HYBE branding.

As the legal battle continues, both sides remain bound by an injunction preventing the members from carrying out independent activities as NewJeans without facing substantial penalties.

With the next mediation date set for September, the group's future remains uncertain.

About the author

Mantasha is a pop culture writer at Sportskeeda who covers K-pop and K-drama. She has recently completed her Masters in English and has a rich 3-year writing experience where she crafted engaging content for top companies such as Unacademy, Apollo Hospitals, Adani Airports, and the Economic Times. Her experience has helped her create a strong foundation that complements her passion for creating the best content related to K-pop, K-dramas and Korean movies.

Mantasha's interest in pop culture took root when her cousin introduced her to classic Hollywood and Bollywood tunes and the rest, as they say, is history. Mantasha’s connection with K-pop supergroup BTS is a special one as their song lyrics, hard work, and dedication resonate with her like no other group does.

Maintaining accuracy, relevance, and ethics in her reporting is extremely essential for Mantasha. She prioritizes thorough research, delving deep beyond just superficial sources, to ensure comprehensive and trustworthy information.

When not writing, Mantasha enjoys journaling and doodling, watching K-dramas and listening to songs.

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Edited by Ankita Barat