ADOR has responded to NewJeans' recent search for new stage names, claiming that the move could seriously breach their exclusive contract.

On January 23rd, ADOR shared their stance on the matter with Herald POP, addressing the controversy around the members’ contest for new stage names.

The company clarified, "ADOR maintains that the exclusive contract is valid, and we are sincerely following the legal process."

The statement continued, "We regret that the members are attempting independent entertainment activities, such as seeking new stage names before receiving legal judgment, as this could be a serious breach of contract."

The situation dates back to November 28th of last year when NewJeans held an emergency press conference.

At the time, the group announced that they were terminating their exclusive contract with ADOR, stating, "We are terminating the contract with ADOR at midnight on the 29th."

They added, "The fault lies with HYBE and ADOR, so there is no reason for us to file a lawsuit, nor do we have any reason to pay any penalty". Since then, the members have been pursuing their own independent activities.

In response, ADOR filed a lawsuit seeking confirmation of the validity of their exclusive contract with the group.

Before the court could deliver a judgment, ADOR took further legal action, requesting an injunction to prevent NewJeans from independently contacting advertisers.

They also sought a ban on the group entering into advertising contracts without ADOR's approval, maintaining that the agency's status should be upheld.

Not backing down, NewJeans' members appointed the same law firm, Sejong, as ADOR's former representative Min Hee Jin. They declared, "We will fight proudly in court to clarify ADOR’s and HYBE’s wrongdoings and bring the truth to light".

In a bold move, they also announced they would not be returning to HYBE and encouraged fans to participate in their search for new stage names that have no ties to the NewJeans brand.

Source: [1]

Singer Yoo Seung Jun (Steve Yoo) is once again challenging the South Korean government in court, trying for the third time to lift his long-standing entry ban. His first trial hearing for this lawsuit is happening today (20th).

On the afternoon of the 20th, the Seoul Administrative Court’s Division 5 (Presiding Judge Kim Soon-yeol) will hold the first hearing for Yoo Seung Jun ’s case against the Los Angeles Consulate General and the Ministry of Justice.

He is demanding the cancellation of his visa refusal and a ruling confirming that the entry ban decision is invalid.

Yoo Seung Jun has been blocked from entering South Korea for 23 years due to controversy over avoiding military service.

Back in 2002, just before his enlistment, he left the country for an overseas concert and then suddenly obtained U.S. citizenship, which exempted him from military duty.

As a result, in February of that year, the South Korean government banned him from re-entering the country under the Immigration Control Act.

In October 2015, he tried to obtain an overseas Korean (F-4) visa from the Los Angeles Consulate General, but it was rejected. He filed a lawsuit and won twice at the Supreme Court, raising hopes for his return.

However, in June last year, the consulate once again denied his visa application. In response, Yoo Seung Jun filed a third lawsuit in September, seeking to overturn the visa rejection and get a legal ruling confirming that the Ministry of Justice’s entry ban is no longer valid.

Now, with his third legal battle underway, fans and the public are waiting to see if this will finally be the case that lets him set foot in South Korea again.

Source (1)