HYBE Under Fire: NJZ’s Legal Battle Exposes Dark Secrets

NJZ and ADOR’s first injunction hearing finally took place, and neither side held back as they laid out their arguments. From accusations that Hanni had been dishonest to leaked messages that rattled the case, the hearing was packed with heated exchanges and unexpected revelations. Here’s a breakdown of everything that unfolded.

Table of Contents

• 1. The Feud That Ruled 2024
• 2. ADOR’s Opening Salvo: Investment and Staff Credit
• 3. NJZ’s Claims: Unfair Treatment and Broken Promises
• 4. Calling Out Other Groups, Drawing Criticism
• 5. The ILLIT’s Manager Incident: New Footage vs. Hanni’s Account
• 6. KakaoTalk Messages: Explosive Revelations or Context Lost?
• 7. Accusations of Manipulating NJZ’s Reputation: Honoring Victims and Blocked Ribbons
• 8. The Courtroom Aftermath and Public Response
• 9. Looking Ahead: More Battles Ahead?

1. The Feud That Ruled 2024

The conflict between NJZ and HYBE/ADOR was one of the most talked-about events of 2024. What began with an audit quickly escalated to contract termination and re-debut, but the entire process was anything but smooth. Lawsuits, accusations, and ominous warnings piled up, culminating in a major hearing on March 7th. On that date, both sides appeared before the 50th Civil Division at Seoul Central District Court, ready to argue their cases in detail.

The hearing kicked off with ADOR insisting that the meteoric success of NewJeans couldn’t be solely credited to the members’ talents. They stressed that a large staff of 50 employees—from stylists to choreographers—were instrumental in shaping the group’s image and sound, emphasizing that the label’s resources underpinned NewJeans’ rise. They also revealed that HYBE had invested about 15 million dollars into the group, with 6 million channeled into debut promotions and marketing, including the launch of the fan platform “Phoning.”

2. ADOR’s Opening Salvo: Investment and Staff Credit

Building on that, ADOR accused NJZ of “exploiting perks” linked to the HYBE partnership. They cited examples like Minji and Hanni’s cameo in BTS’ “Permission to Dance” video before debut, the many cross-label challenge collabs with HYBE artists, and the notion that NewJeans was marketed as BTS’ “younger sibling”—allegedly at Min Heejin’s request. The label’s stance was that the group had reaped enormous benefits from HYBE’s star power but later tried to walk away once they’d grown large enough to stand on their own.

Another key claim from ADOR was that NJZ didn’t present adequate grounds for contract termination. “They argue ‘HYBE doesn’t like us’ as a valid motive, but that’s nowhere near a typical reason like unpaid dues or promotional neglect,” the company said. In ADOR’s view, simply losing trust or perceiving that the label disliked them didn’t justify ending an exclusive contract—and it certainly didn’t call for re-debuting under a new name and management.

3. NJZ’s Claims: Unfair Treatment and Broken Promises

NJZ’s side shot back by claiming HYBE had dragged them into multiple chaotic scenes—ranging from biased media coverage to ILLIT’s plagiarism scandal to Dolphiners Films lawsuits. They insisted that “no other HYBE Labels artists went through anything resembling these fiascos,” effectively calling it targeted discrimination. They also alleged that HYBE “sidelined” them, even though Min Heejin was brought in to guarantee that NewJeans would be HYBE’s first girl group. But in the end, LE SSERAFIM debuted ahead of them, pushing the group’s timeline back unnecessarily.

NJZ further contended that HYBE was “stealing opportunities” from them to give to other idols in the company. They brought up how Haein had become a brand ambassador for a luxury label shortly after debuting, and the brand apparently signed another big deal with LE SSERAFIM because HYBE approached them first. From NJZ’s perspective, HYBE was systematically undermining the group’s standing, culminating in their decision to leave. They said: “We’re not alone in noticing this—anyone can see it’s discrimination at the heart of our contract dissolution.”

4. Calling Out Other Groups, Drawing Criticism

NJZ’s mention of ILLIT and LE SSERAFIM in their arguments ignited another uproar. Many fans believed name-dropping two other girl groups was unnecessary and potentially harmful. A Twitter user summarized the backlash: “They’re stoking fan wars, basically tossing these two groups under the bus for stuff that may not even be their fault. They claim to hate how they were treated, yet they bring negative attention to these groups.”

However, NJZ’s supporters argued that the references to ILLIT and LE SSERAFIM were crucial for establishing a timeline of events, clarifying how they felt sidelined by the label. Some fans said: “HYBE used BTS, LE SSERAFIM, and ILLIT’s names in media to overshadow us. So why can’t we mention them in our testimony?” They insisted the group was simply providing context, not maliciously throwing other idols under the bus. It didn’t help that both sides continued to trade statements that fueled public discord, dragging multiple groups into the fray.

5. The ILLIT’s Manager Incident: New Footage vs. Hanni’s Account

An especially heated point of contention involved an alleged encounter in a HYBE building hallway between Hanni and a manager from ILLIT. According to Hanni, she was alone on the 4th floor when she spotted the other group. They greeted each other, but when the group emerged again, Hanni alleged the manager told the members to “ignore her.” She branded it as an example of workplace harassment—an instance in which HYBE’s internal staff actively encouraged friction between labelmates.

HYBE initially denied the incident, but NJZ demanded CCTV footage. Then, in court, ADOR produced a video clip that apparently showed ILLIT members bowing deeply to Hanni (and also to Danielle, who was passing by). The label’s stance was that the group never ignored her and that Hanni’s claims were either misremembered or exaggerated. However, Hanni and her supporters pointed out that the date on the CCTV clip didn’t match the day she said it happened, making the footage potentially irrelevant. This mismatch fed speculation that HYBE might be mixing clips or withholding the correct one for unknown reasons.

6. Kakaotalk Messages Explosive revelations or context lost?

ADOR next showcased KakaoTalk messages between Hanni and Min Heejin, apparently intended to prove Hanni wasn’t sure about the manager’s exact wording. In these chats, Hanni is seen describing how one ILLIT member gave her a slight bow without eye contact, while another seemed uneasy. She also called the situation “kind of funny,” fueling claims that she was contradicting herself. Some netizens jumped on that, saying: “She once called it harassment but here she’s laughing about it.”

However, other fans insisted the messages were being cherry-picked or twisted, especially given the sequence of the conversation. Hanni later clarified on Instagram that she remembered everything accurately but that ADOR had “plucked out pieces” of her words to reshape the story. She insisted that the amusing part was discovering “how great her own staff was,” not that she found the manager’s alleged behavior comedic. As for the phrase “I don’t care about them at all,” Hanni says she was referring to Belift Lab, not ILLIT.

7. Accusations of Manipulating NJZ’s Reputation: Honoring Victims and Blocked Ribbons

Another sensitive topic revolved around a time the NJZ members wanted to wear black ribbons during a music show in Japan to honor the victims of a tragic Jeju airplane accident. According to NJZ’s testimony, HYBE discouraged them, claiming the Japanese broadcasting station might not approve. Yet when the members checked directly, they learned there was no such restriction. Under time pressure, Hanni had to craft ribbons on her own.

Later, they argued that other HYBE artists wore similar memorial ribbons without any pushback, leading NJZ to suspect that HYBE’s instructions were designed to undermine their credibility or cause them potential backlash. HYBE countered, explaining that they had been reviewing the matter for all label artists and were in talks with the broadcaster about subtitles or disclaimers to clarify the ribbons’ purpose. They said they never forbade anyone from wearing them—just that everyone had to coordinate in advance. According to the label, NJZ took the matter into their own hands, ignoring the official plan. The group, for their part, insisted they weren’t informed of any official plan at all.

8. The Courtroom Aftermath and Public Response

With the first hearing concluded, both sides left the courthouse facing intense public criticism. Fans of HYBE believed NJZ was maliciously referencing other HYBE groups and acts to stoke hostility, while NJZ loyalists argued that the group had the right to mention relevant incidents. Hanni’s so-called “smile” upon exiting the court was also scrutinized, with netizens remarking: “She’s leaving court smiling after dragging two girl groups into the mud?”

Meanwhile, HYBE was blasted for allegedly twisting messages, providing questionable CCTV footage, and seemingly using a serious tragedy (the airplane accident) as a means to argue that NJZ was uncooperative or misleading. The controversies, far from being settled, appear to be escalating. With both sides continuing to present contradictory accounts, fans see more legal and public battles on the horizon. Many suspect additional “leaked” messages or further revelations are inevitable.

9. Looking Ahead: More Battles Ahead?

As the dust settles—at least temporarily—observers can only guess what’s next in this complex legal battle. The hearing spotlighted a swirl of issues: alleged favoritism, possible sabotage, ironically timed brand deals, plagiarism controversies, and even the question of who “owns” idol success. With neither side backing down, it seems the war between NJZ and HYBE/ADOR could intensify.

From the members’ point of view, they’ve endured enough and want to operate under new management, free from alleged “discrimination.” For HYBE, losing a successful group that they initially funded and promoted feels unjust, especially if they suspect the group leveraged the company’s assets and brand name just to launch elsewhere. The tension escalates every time they meet in court, with fans from both camps dissecting each new claim or piece of evidence. The rumor mill churns faster with each day, while neutral K-pop fans worry about the fallout if these controversies continue to overshadow the music.

Ultimately, it’s fans who end up bearing the emotional brunt—whether they’re stanning NJZ, supporting the other HYBE groups mentioned in the arguments, or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes drama in the K-pop industry. The entire fiasco also highlights how messy idol-company relationships can become once trust is broken. With more court dates expected, fans should brace themselves for additional leaks, texts, or videos that might disrupt or invert the current narrative. In the meantime, all we can do is follow the legal proceedings and wait for the court’s decision or a possible settlement. Either way, the dark secrets exposed by NJZ’s legal fight with HYBE are sure to leave a mark on the industry long after the final verdict drops.

What are your thoughts on this case? Let us know in the comments—do you think NJZ overstepped by naming other groups, or does HYBE bear the blame for overshadowing them? Is Hanni’s story about the manager instructing a group to ignore her believable, or do you side with HYBE’s evidence? One thing’s for sure: The heated discourse around NJZ’s legal battle has everyone talking about the often-hidden complexities behind idol management and the power dynamics within K-pop’s top labels.