A recent investigation has revealed deeply troubling aspects of the contract between ADOR and the members of NewJeans—signed when they were between 14 and 17 years old—that have provoked widespread outrage in the K-Pop community. The contract’s terms not only diverge from South Korea’s standard trainee agreements but also put even the most fundamental rights of minor artists at risk.
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## What the investigation uncovered
### Absence of essential protections for minors
The report highlights that NewJeans’ contract does not include language standardly enforced by the South Korean government—such as provisions for physical and mental well-being, education, rest, or limited working hours. Without these protections, members were not guaranteed basic rights even while underage.
### Unyielding terms, non-negotiable agreement
Emails reviewed show that in 2022, one member’s mother requested amendments to the contract. ADOR’s vice president responded by implying that if the mother disagreed, “it may be best to reconsider the contract itself.” Ultimately, the parent signed under the original conditions.
### Control over artistic identity and works
Once the contract ends, ADOR retains the right to sell NewJeans’ music, while dramatically reducing the group’s share of royalties. Experts consulted say this kind of clause is highly unusual.
Additionally, the contract grants the label extensive control over the members’ names, likenesses, voices, handwriting, photos, and more—including after contract termination. That control extends to AI-generated voices and chatbots. Members receive payment for uses of their likeness, but they have no say where or how their identity is leveraged.
### Cosmetic clauses and “beauty expenses”
An especially contentious component requires trainees to shoulder part of the costs ADOR incurs for beauty-related expenses—this includes skincare, plastic surgery, and body-shape correction during training.
Before NewJeans’ debut, photographers would assess each trainee from different angles to determine how stage lighting might affect their appearance. Based on that analysis, ADOR suggested certain procedures to multiple members. The practice reflects broader industry norms, sources note, where suggestions about cosmetic alteration are rarely seen as coercion.
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## Industry norms and accountability concerns
### Perceived as “standard” in K-Pop
While controversial, many of these contract clauses are reportedly common throughout the K-Pop world. though that has done little to ease fan outrage.
### Roles of ADOR and HYBE
Fan sentiment is increasingly critical of Min Hee Jin—former CEO of ADOR—questioning whether she bears responsibility for the contract’s terms. Observers argue that HYBE, ADOR’s parent company, exerts legal control through its centralized management systems. Contracts with artists under HYBE brands are reportedly drafted and managed by shared legal teams, implying that NewJeans might not be the only ones bound by such agreements.
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## Fan backlash and public outcry
As these contract details surface, many fans have responded with dismay and anger. Some have described the terms as tantamount to “modern slavery”—particularly in emphasizing that other HYBE-affiliated artists could be subject to similar contracts.
Here are some key concerns raised by supporters:
– Lack of agency over personal identity and future earnings
– Financial burden of appearance-related expectations
– Insufficient legal protection for minors in high-pressure entertainment settings
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## Legal expert commentary
Legal analysts say that:
– Selling music and content beyond contract end without normal revenue splitting is highly atypical in most entertainment contracts.
– Ownership over identity usages—especially with evolving technologies like AI—raises ongoing issues of consent and artistic control.
These concerns suggest that the contract pushes boundaries well outside what many legal scholars consider reasonable in artist-label relationships.
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## Moving forward: What fans and industry-watchers want
Casting a spotlight on the NewJeans–ADOR contract has stirred debates over encouraging reform, not just for one group but across the K-Pop system. Key demands include:
– Mandatory inclusion of welfare protections for minors
– Transparency in contract drafting
– Fair compensation and control over artistic identity
– Reevaluation of cosmetic clauses
Observers hope regulatory bodies will examine how standard contract templates are distributed and enforced—especially those used by HYBE and its subsidiaries.
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The surfacing of NewJeans’ contract with ADOR underscores wider concerns about the treatment of young artists in K-Pop. With fans pushing for accountability, the industry may face increased scrutiny if these practices are not revised.
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