NewJeans

NewJeans are embroiled in another plagiarism dispute, this time over their 2024 single "How Sweet." According to Billboard on Friday, NewJeans, its agency Ador and parent company Hybe have been sued in the US over alleged copyright infringement. Four songwriters, including Audrey Armacost, filed the lawsuit claiming that NewJeans' "How Sweet" copied elements from their demo track "One of a Kind." The plaintiffs are seeking royalty compensation from both the group and the agency. According to the

K-pop powerhouse HYBE said Friday it has established a new label specializing in producing girl groups, with plans to debut its first act later this year. The label is named ABD, short for its brand slogan, "A Bold Dream," and reflects an approach that seeks to "imagine D instead of C after A and B," the company said in a statement. The label will be led by No Ji-won, head of artist planning at HYBE subsidiary Pledis Entertainment. Pledis' veteran producer Han Sung-soo, who has previously worked on artists including Seventeen, After School, IZ*ONE and TWS, will lead production for the new girl group, HYBE said. The planned debut will add to HYBE's roster of girl groups, which includes Le Sserafim under Source Music, NewJeans under ADOR, ILLIT under Belift Lab and Katseye under HYBE Labels.

NewJeans’ agency Ador said Thursday that discussions regarding member Minji’s future activities are ongoing and progressing in a “positive direction.” The agency addressed growing speculation surrounding Minji’s possible return to group activities after a series of birthday-related posts and fan sightings circulated online. “We are continuing internal discussions regarding her future activities,” said Ador in a statement on Thursday. “While we are unable to share specific details at this time, w

NewJeans’ agency Ador uploaded pictures on the group’s social media Thursday celebrating Minji's birthday, triggering another wave of speculation that the idol is ready to reunite with her bandmates. The pictures showed Minji making cookies for fans, alongside the phrase: “Happy Minji Day.” She reportedly visited a cafe that fans leased to mark her birthday and shared what she made. Ador told media that the two parties “are in talks, and are moving forward positively in general.” Haein, Hyerin a

A Seoul court approved Ador’s request in February to freeze assets owned by former NewJeans member Danielle's mother, and former CEO Min Hee-jin, according to local reports on Wednesday citing legal sources. The total claim amounts to 7 billion won ($4.73 million), comprising 5 billion won against Min and 2 billion won against Danielle’s mother. The measure is intended to prevent the disposal or concealment of assets before a final ruling, ensuring the enforceability of potential compensation. T

Amid ongoing litigation in which entertainment agency ADOR has filed a damages lawsuit worth approximately 43 billion won ($29 million) against former NewJeans member Danielle and others, ADOR’s entire legal team has stepped down. Xportsnews confirmed on April 29 that five attorneys from Kim & Chang, who had been representing ADOR in the case, have all resigned. The resignations come less than a month after the first pretrial hearing, drawing speculation over possible reasons behind the move. With the legal team stepping down, HYBE must now appoint new legal representatives. Some speculate that the trial could be prolonged as a result. Meanwhile, Danielle’s legal representatives remain unchanged and will continue handling the case. Previously, during the first pretrial hearing held on March 26 at Seoul Central District Court, the two sides clashed over the pace of proceedings. At the time, Danielle’s side raised suspicions that ADOR was intentionally trying to delay the case, stating, “They recently requested to postpone the pretrial hearing by two months, which makes it seem like