Hanni's legal team denies dual-contract claims as ADOR damages suit drops to ₩33.09B

Hanni's legal representatives at law firm Hwawoo pushed back hard against dual-contract allegations at the third oral argument in her damages lawsuit against ADOR, held July 2 at Seoul Central District Court, Civil Settlement Division 31 (Presiding Judge Nam In-soo).

Hwawoo stated its position publicly on July 6. Some outlets, following the July 2 hearing, ran stories invoking Chinese capital that framed Hanni as having secretly entered into dual exclusive contracts. The firm called this characterization "distorted." "Hanni and the other NewJeans members have never entered into, or attempted to enter into, dual exclusive contracts with any specific company," the firm said.

ADOR had claimed Hanni conducted music activities and advertising contracts independently, bypassing the agency, and that members had pursued dual contracts linked to Chinese capital. Hwawoo's response: "ADOR's claims differ from objective facts or are exaggerated." The firm also raised a pointed question — whether ADOR's influence played a role in coverage that framed group-wide matters as Hanni's individual actions alone.

ADOR originally filed for approximately ₩43.1 billion in damages. After changing legal representatives, the claim was reduced to approximately ₩33.09 billion.

NewJeans members declared contract termination in November last year but subsequently lost that lawsuit. ADOR then notified Hanni of contract termination in December last year and filed the damages suit. Members Hae-rin, Hye-in, and Ha-ni have since returned to ADOR and resumed activities. Min-ji is still working out whether to return. Hanni is the only member still in active litigation.