(Above) NewJeans. Provided by ADOR. Provided by NewJeans Truck Mass Protest Team.

A group of NewJeans fans called the ‘NewJeans Truck Mass Protest Team’ staged a truck protest, issuing a public statement urging HYBE and ADOR to acknowledge responsibility, end the dispute, and guarantee full-group activities.

The protest was organized after the written judgment in the put option (stock purchase claim) lawsuit was disclosed. Last month, the Civil Agreement Division 31 of the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of former CEO Min Hee-jin and ordered HYBE to pay approximately 25.5 billion KRW.

The judgment stated that HYBE expanded the issue by fully externalizing internal conflict, even though it could have minimized damage to the value of NewJeans. The court also cited a securities firm report that said, ‘a certain group is absorbing NewJeans know-how and growing rapidly’, pointing out that HYBE enjoyed a stock price rise, whereas ADOR could face concerns about market erosion due to the appearance of competing groups with similar images. It additionally rejected arguments advanced by HYBE, noting among other things that former CEO Min was not found to have committed breach of trust.

In a statement released on the 3rd, the protest team referred to the ruling and said it showed that the allegations long asserted by HYBE that former CEO Min attempted ‘seizure of management control’ were not consistent with the facts. They further demanded that Chair Bang Si-hyuk acknowledge responsibility for the situation that began on April 22, 2024, and immediately stop wasteful disputes.

They also urged Belift Lab CEO Kim Tae-ho to apologize over the plagiarism controversy and to delete the ‘video stating a position on the plagiarism claims’. Citing the court ruling, the team argued that the raising of issues by the NewJeans side was recognized as legitimate conduct, and that the video went beyond a statement of position and disparaged the uniqueness of NewJeans.

They also called on ADOR CEO Lee Do-kyung to fulfill the obligations promised in court to support normal activities and to protect the artists. The team criticized ADOR for, despite promising during the lawsuit over the validity of the exclusive contract to actively support activities when the member returned, later notifying Danielle of contract termination and filing a lawsuit seeking damages and liquidated penalties of approximately 44.0 billion KRW against Danielle and her family. They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the lawsuits related to Danielle and the normalization of five-member full-group activities for NewJeans.

They also demanded that the agency take immediate legal action against personal data leaks, invasions of privacy, defamation, and the spread of false information targeting the members, and that it transparently disclose the status of its response to the recent overseas CCTV leak.

The team emphasized support for full-group activities, stating, “NewJeans is complete when the five members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein are together.” They added that if their demands are not accepted or if unfair pressure on the artists continues, they will take collective action to protect their rights as fans and consumers.

Meanwhile, this truck protest will take place for two days, from March 3 to 4, in front of HYBE headquarters.