NewJeans contracts stripped minors of rest rights, report says
Legal documents signed by the K-pop group between ages 14 and 17 removed standard protections for sleep, education, and personal likeness.
By Wyatt Cooper ·
A review of legal documents signed by the K-pop group NewJeans reveals that the five members waived rights to sleep, rest, and free choice when they were teenagers.
The New York Times reported on the exclusive contracts with Ador, a subsidiary of Hybe, which were signed by Minji, Hanni, Haerin, Hyein, and Danielle between 2019 and 2022. The members were between 14 and 17 years old at the time of signing.
The agreements removed standard language from the Korean government’s K-pop contract template. This template typically protects basic human rights for minor performers, including the right to education and limits on excessive physical exposure.
The specific clauses in the NewJeans contracts prohibited members from displaying an insincere attitude or engaging in inappropriate romantic relationships. The documents also stripped out provisions that prevent labels from demanding overly sexually suggestive expressions from minors.
Hybe representatives told the New York Times that the company follows child-protection laws and ensures safe working conditions for its artists. The company stated that its contracts were legal and negotiated in good faith, with protections for both the artists and the label's financial investment.
The contracts granted Ador perpetual rights to use the members' names, photographs, handwriting, voices, and likenesses. This ownership extends beyond the end of the contract term, a condition that goes further than government recommendations. The agreement also allows Ador to use the members as artificial intelligence chatbots or clones.
Financial terms included a requirement for the band to repay a large portion of the costs associated with plastic surgery procedures. Hybe stated that it does not recommend cosmetic surgery against an individual's wishes. The label also maintains that its exit penalty fees align with industry standards.
The dispute over these contracts became public in November 2024 when the group announced their intent to leave Ador. The members cited contract disputes and claims that the label undermined their careers. Hanni told South Korea’s parliament that the group faced deliberate miscommunications and manipulation.
Ador sued Danielle, a family member of her, and the band's producer in December 2025. The lawsuit sought nearly $30 million in damages and contract break penalties. The label argued that a unilateral claim of broken trust was not enough to terminate the contract.
The group is currently operating as a four-piece after Danielle's departure. In July, the remaining members promised that 2026 would be the summer of NewJeans, though no new music has been released yet. The members had undergone years of strict training in K-pop boot camps before signing, with rehearsals sometimes lasting until 2 a.m.
