The dispute surrounding NewJeans’ decision to part ways with ADOR has escalated as new details of alleged workplace harassment have emerged. A manager assisting the K-pop group has filed a formal complaint against CEO Kim Jooyoung. This complaint, submitted to South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor, alleges severe mistreatment by the agency.
Channel A reported on Tuesday that the manager claimed ADOR called them into a work-related meeting, only to issue a suspension notice and demand the return of a company laptop from their home. The manager alleged that they were detained for approximately three hours until the laptop was returned.
Additionally, the manager claimed that ADOR forced them to turn in their personal cell phones without legal grounds. The complaint further stated that ADOR initiated a disciplinary investigation against them for formatting their work laptop, even though they had backed up company data.
In response to the manager’s allegations, ADOR stated that the manager violated the artists’ exclusive contract by directly contacting an advertiser for a deal without involving the agency. ADOR emphasized that the manager’s role is to facilitate deals through the agency and that artists are contractually obligated to work exclusively through ADOR.
ADOR explained that they provided the manager with ample opportunity to explain their actions, but the manager refused to cooperate and made false statements that contradicted clear evidence. Consequently, ADOR felt it necessary to suspend the manager and request the return of company property, including the laptop. ADOR maintained, “At no point did we engage in any coercive actions or illegal detention during this process.”
According to ADOR, company policy requires employees to return company property, such as laptops, with all work data intact. However, the manager returned the laptop after formatting it, making the data unrecoverable. ADOR plans to conduct a full investigation into the situation and take legal action if necessary.
NewJeans is currently in a legal battle with ADOR to terminate their exclusive contract. The group recently held a press conference to officially announce their intention to end their contract with ADOR.
During the press conference, NewJeans revealed that their managers and staff have experienced mistreatment from both ADOR and HYBE. They recounted instances where their staff’s laptops were confiscated and where they were unexpectedly interrogated. The group expressed confusion over this treatment, especially since these individuals are assisting them in completing their current schedules.
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