India, July 26 -- The contract dispute between NJZ (formerly NewJeans) and ADOR is growing messier with every court date. On July 24, the Seoul Central District Court held its third hearing in the ongoing case over the validity of the girl group's exclusive contract - and confirmed a closed-door mediation session set for August 14. With both sides sticking to their positions, the outcome of this mediation could shape the group's future.

The legal rift began when the five-member group, via their lawyers, moved to terminate their contract with ADOR in November 2023, a move the agency is fighting to overturn. At the heart of the case is former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, who remains a polarising figure in the narrative.

NJZ's legal representativ...