NewJeans contract lacked sleep, education protections for teen members

The New York Times reported in November 2026 that NewJeans members signed contracts with HYBE subsidiary ADOR between ages 14 and 17 that omitted standard Korean government protections for minors, including rights to sleep, rest, education, and physical and mental health. The contracts were signed in early 2022, before the group's debut, and included clauses banning "insincere attitudes" and "inappropriate romantic relationships," while requiring members to bear costs for cosmetic procedures and granting ADOR perpetual rights to use the members' names, voices, and likenesses.

HYBE and Min Hee-jin's representatives have offered conflicting accounts of responsibility for the contract terms. HYBE stated that then-CEO Min Hee-jin, along with members' parents and legal representatives, negotiated and signed the agreement, and that it included basic human rights protections through a separate National Standard Youth Supplementary Agreement valid until members reached adulthood. HYBE also noted that three months of communications and revisions occurred after the draft was shared in January 2022, with one member's parent later expressing satisfaction with explanations provided.

Min Hee-jin's side disputed HYBE's characterization, asserting that HYBE's legal team led contract drafting while ADOR communicated with parents to convey proposed revisions. According to Min Hee-jin's representatives, HYBE's legal team, CFO, and CEO retained final approval authority, citing internal communications indicating that ADOR's former vice CEO told a parent that "HYBE is involved in the final decision-making process." Min Hee-jin's side also noted that in 2024, when requesting independent contract authority from HYBE, the request was rejected, suggesting ADOR lacked autonomous contracting power at the time of the NewJeans agreement.

The contract included steep exit penalties calculated using a formula that, according to the Times and entertainment lawyers, could increase penalty amounts compared to Korean government standards. HYBE responded that penalty calculations were standard for the industry and included protections, and that even using average monthly revenue during periods with actual sales produced equivalent economic effects. The company also stated that CCTV cameras are installed only in shared practice areas and operated in accordance with law.

NewJeans announced their intention to leave ADOR in November 2024 amid contract disputes and allegations of deliberate undermining of their careers. Band member Hanni accused ADOR of "deliberate miscommunications and manipulation." In response, ADOR sued member Danielle and associates in December 2025 for approximately $30 million in damages and breach penalties. A South Korean court determined that the members do not qualify as workers under the Labour Standards Act. HYBE stated that its exit penalty fees do not exceed industry standards, while an entertainment lawyer representing major U.S. artists called the terms "horrific" by American industry norms.