NJZ (Formerly NewJeans) Loses Legal Battle, Forced to Perform Under Old Name

NJZ, formerly known as NewJeans, faces a major legal setback against their former label, ADOR. The Seoul Central District Court upheld an injunction on March 7, 2025, blocking NJZ from performing or conducting business under their new name a crushing blow just days before their scheduled debut at ComplexCon in Hong Kong.

A Courtroom Showdown with ADOR

NJZ’s split from ADOR in early 2025 was already messy, but this ruling makes things even more complicated. ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE, argued that the name change would damage their brand and violate contracts, while NJZ accused ADOR of mistreatment and manipulation. The judge ultimately sided with ADOR, placing a temporary ban on NJZ’s commercial activities until the full hearing on April 3, 2025.

But here’s the twist: NJZ will still perform at ComplexCon under their old name, NewJeans. Their reasoning? Respect for their fans, even while fighting for their new identity. Meanwhile, ADOR is sending reps to Hong Kong to make sure the name rule sticks, proving this battle is far from over.

What’s Next for NJZ?

This case is one of the biggest legal battles in K-pop history, with industry giants watching closely. Five major music organizations have already spoken out about the case, warning against groups breaking away from record labels too easily. But fans aren’t buying it, arguing that these statements echo HYBE’s stance rather than protecting artists.

With the next court hearing set for April 3, NJZ’s future remains uncertain. Will they win back their new name, or is this the beginning of a long legal war? One thing’s for sure: the fight for artistic freedom in K-pop just got a whole lot messier.