Danielle Sues K-pop Label Over Million-Dollar Feud

The Legal Battle Between Ador and NewJeans

The K-pop record label Ador has initiated a legal battle against a former member of the megaband NewJeans, seeking millions in damages. This follows a year-long dispute that led to the band's attempt to leave their contract with the label. The lawsuit comes just a day after the label removed the member from the group.

Ador is also taking legal action against an unnamed family member of Danielle Marsh and the band’s former producer, Min Hee-jin. The label claims both individuals played a significant role in the dispute, which resulted in NewJeans' departure and delayed return. The total amount sought from the three individuals is nearly 43.1bn won (US$30m, £22m, A$45m).

NewJeans made headlines in November 2024 when they announced their decision to leave Ador, prompting the company to request an injunction barring them from any commercial activities. That request was granted in March. Danielle’s contract has since been terminated, as it was determined that it would be difficult for her to continue as an artist under Ador.

Ador claims that the members of NewJeans were exposed to persistently distorted and biased information, leading to significant misunderstandings. The Guardian has reached out to Danielle for comment.

According to Ador, three of the group’s four remaining members have decided to stay with the label, while member Minji is still in talks with the company. NewJeans, which made its debut in 2022, is among Hybe’s most successful acts. After the lawsuit against Danielle was announced, fans took to social media with the slogan: “NewJeans is five or nothing.”

The Contractual Dispute

The dramatic contractual dispute erupted last year following allegations that Hybe had forced out Min, the band’s producer, from her role as Ador’s CEO. NewJeans members later issued an ultimatum demanding Min’s reinstatement, which Hybe rejected. The members then went public with their grievances, alleging the company had deliberately undermined their careers.

Vietnamese-Australian band member Hanni Pham claimed that the band had endured mistreatment, including “deliberate miscommunications and manipulation” while working with the label. In October she delivered emotional testimony before South Korea’s parliament over the allegations, saying: “I know it’s not going to solve all the problems in the world, but if we just respect each other, at least there will be no problems with bullying and harassment in the workplace.”

Danielle has also claimed that when she was a trainee in one of the idol boot camps, she was constantly surveilled and had to have all meals approved by management, an allegation Ador or Hybe have not responded to.

Legal Outcomes and Industry Implications

In October, the Seoul Central district court rejected NewJeans’s claims that the allegations had caused an “irreparable breakdown of trust” with Ador. Weeks later, South Korea’s employment ministry also dismissed a workplace bullying complaint made by Pham against Ador, stating that the members were not legally employees of Ador, but “exceptional entities.”

The spat sparked panic in the K-pop industry, as it fuelled discussions around the rights of K-pop stars as workers, a status they have been legally denied. In a joint statement to Time magazine after the injunction against them was granted, the band said: “It almost feels like Korea wants to turn us into revolutionaries.”

In November, Ador announced that only two members, Hyein and Haerin, would be returning to the agency, sparking fears among fans that NewJeans would split up. But Hanni, Danielle and Minji released a separate statement hours later clarifying that they would also return – but now it is clear, not for long.