Deadline is Here: Why NewJeans Rightfully Deserves HYBE Contract Termination [Expert’s Opinion]

The deadline for NewJeans contract termination ultimatum against HYBE is here, and nothing seems to be stopping their determination. But have you ever wondered why the group could possibly show such bravery despite the fact that they’re simply new rookies in the industry? Apparently, there are some convincing reasons behind the bold steps and bravery of NewJeans, and Korean experts have revealed how the group has rightfully deserved their contract termination demands from HYBE. Curious? Join us in the complete explanation below.

Korean Experts Revealed NewJeans Has Rightfully Deserved Contract Termination

We have finally reached the deadline mentioned in the previous contract termination ultimatum from NewJeans against their company ADOR and HYBE. With all the impossible demands that most of the international public condemned, Korean experts revealed that NewJeans actually has all the rights to demand such contract termination from the company.

A general assessment from Korean industry experts revealed that the massive dispute between HYBE-ADOR and NewJeans-Min Heejin is unfolding in quite predictable patterns. And if the issue escalated to an official lawsuit, most entertainment industry analysts believed that the tide would turn for NewJeans. 

Why? Because apparently, HYBE has broken the one thing that’s extremely crucial in a contract agreement with its artist: trust. Therefore, without restoring trust, this dispute could severely harm HYBE.

Deadline is Coming: Convincing Reasons for NewJeans Contract Termination from HYBE

Along with the explanation, the expert analyst’s report also explained all the convincing reasons why NewJeans rightfully deserved a contract termination demand from HYBE. According to the experts, HYBE has severely conducted multiple violations that have damaged NewJeans as its own artist.

1. Breach of Trust: Primary Foundation of Contract is Now Broken!

First and foremost, NewJeans cited HYBE’s violation of the most critical aspect of their contract: trust.

The previous statement in HYBE “Weekly Industry Report” that revealed their plan to “abandon NewJeans” has massively emphasized HYBE’s fundamental betrayal against NewJeans. This issue has undermined the mutual respect required for any form of exclusive agreement.

2. Failure to Protect Minor Members

Secondly, NewJeans deserved to demand contract termination from HYBE because the company has reportedly failed to protect its minor members.

Industry experts criticized the company’s neglect in safeguarding minor members like Haerin and Hyein, leaving them vulnerable to public scrutiny and online harassment. Despite repeated appeals from parents, the agency failed to act decisively.

3. HYBE’s Alleged Disrespect and Mistreatment Against NewJeans

Thirdly, allegations emerged that HYBE executives had been allegedly mistreating NewJeans and disrespecting the group, even when NewJeans is HYBE’s own artist.

The allegation includes a PR officer downplaying NewJeans’ achievement and a label manager dismissing Hanni with demeaning comments like “ignore her.” This issue has been a good enough reason that HYBE has further diminished the trust necessary between the agency and its artist.

4. Unconsented Media Leaks

Then, there was also the unauthorized release of pre-debut photos and videos from HYBE to various YouTubers and media.

These unconsented leaks had also violated NewJeans’ privacy. Since HYBE failed to resolve this issue, these materials have now remained accessible and are causing continued harm to the group’s reputation.

5. HYBE Plans on Removing NewJeans from Top-Tier Kpop Group

At the same time, HYBE has also devalued NewJeans’ accomplishments through “pushback strategies.” The strategies have apparently prioritized other HYBE artists over their own. 

Not only that, but the controversial internal documents even suggested removing NewJeans from discussions about top-tier 4th-generation groups. This move has further solidified the reason why NewJeans deserves to demand contract termination from HYBE, the very ultimatum that’s facing a deadline today.

6. ADOR’s Unwise Move Led to Unnecessary Dispute

Another conflict that has become a good reason for NewJeans leaving HYBE is the shocking conflict with director Shin Woo Seok. 

ADOR’s unwise decision has led to unnecessary disputes and the erasure of NewJeans’ existing creative works. Meanwhile, experts also believed that HYBE’s lack of resolution in these matters highlighted their disregard for NewJeans and the team’s creative artistry.

7. HYBE Neglecting and Sidelining NewJeans

More importantly, HYBE’s internal documents also mentioned the exclusion of NewJeans from its artists’ promotion strategies. Instead, they blatantly focused on creating new trends among the new Kpop generation with ILLIT, LE SSERAFIM, and planned on replacing NewJeans with KATSEYE.

Therefore, industry experts believed that with this statement, HYBE had sidelined its own artist, prioritizing other groups over NewJeans. And that is enough reason that NewJeans deserve to demand their exit from the company.

8. Passive Response to Harassment

Not only that, but HYBE also remained passive when NewJeans faced public ridicule, such as being called “NewPitty”online. 

In contrast, the agency had a history of swift and decisive actions to protect other artists and executives in similar situations. For example, HYBE forbids Korean media to use certain words to protect BTS Suga from the drunk driving scandal. Furthermore, HYBE also immediately removed articles and posts discussing Bang Si Hyuk’s meeting with a sexy AfreecaTV BJ.

Experts also argued that HYBE had exploited NewJeans amid the company’s dispute with Min Heejin. And when HYBE exposed unrelated KakaoTalk messages involving NewJeans members, resulting in massive harassment against the group, the company failed to defend them.

That is why it becomes yet another reason why the contract termination demand from NewJeans is just rightful and understandable.

9. Legal Vulnerabilities in Trust-Based Contracts

In the entertainment industry, trust is the primary base and cornerstone of exclusive contracts. Thus, industry experts concluded that HYBE’s abovementioned decisions are an apparent betrayal against its artists, NewJeans.

Therefore, they will serve as critical evidence in a lawsuit in favor of NewJeans’ demands.

10. Cancelation of Scheduled Activities

Last but not least, HYBE was the one initiating this massive dispute against Min Heejin, making them public earlier this year. 

As a result, NewJeans’ planned activities for late 2024 and early 2025 were abruptly canceled, causing the group’s brand reputation to deteriorate even further. The only major activity they did was a performance at the 2024 KGMA where NewJeans delivered the alleged disbandment speech.

Hence, industry experts believe that by taking such a step, HYBE doesn’t care about how the issue will affect NewJeans. It also signals the withdrawal of support from the company against its artist.

That is why experts believe that such actions have further justified NewJeans’ decision to seek termination of their contract.

Will the Company Grant Their Wish?

Finally, as the NewJeans contract termination deadline is finally here, do you think HYBE will grant the group’s wishes? Or will the company take this to court? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

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Source: ilyo.