ADOR wins damages case over NewJeans video

Jan 14, 2026, 08:05 am

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K-pop group NewJeans. / Courtesy of ADOR

ADOR has won a damages lawsuit against video production company Dolphiners Films, with the court ruling that a contract breach occurred over the posting of a director’s cut video for NewJeans’ song “ETA.”

The Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division 62, presided over by Judge Lee Hyun-seok, delivered the verdict on Jan. 13 in ADOR’s 11 billion won damages suit filed in 2024 against Dolphiners Films and director Shin Woo-seok.

The dispute stemmed from the posting of a director’s cut of the “ETA” music video on Dolphiners Films’ YouTube channel. Dolphiners Films argued that following ADOR’s request to remove the video, Shin was barred from posting not only NewJeans-related works but also other planned releases.

ADOR countered that the director’s cut in question had previously been disputed even with advertisers and was uploaded without consultation or consent from either ADOR or the advertiser. The company said its takedown request was made because the video was posted without authorization.

In court, Dolphiners Films claimed there had been an oral agreement during the tenure of former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin allowing such postings, and Min testified that, under industry practice, directors commonly post their works on personal channels following prior consultation.

ADOR rejected that argument, stating that Dolphiners Films violated the service contract by uploading the video without prior written consent. “The claim that creators need not comply with contracts or the law cannot be accepted,” the company argued.

The court sided with ADOR, recognizing the breach of contract and holding Dolphiners Films liable for damages. The ruling ordered compensation of 1 billion won.

The decision effectively settles a high-profile dispute over production and distribution rights for NewJeans-related content in ADOR’s favor.

#ADOR #Dolphiners Films #NewJeans #ETA #director’s cut