New Jeans vs HYBE: Mediation Fails Again Ahead of October Court Showdown
New Jeans Wants to Be Old Jeans… But They’ve Got No Power
The mediation saga between New Jeans, ADOR, and HYBE rolled on this week—and once again, nothing was resolved. After another failed attempt at compromise, it’s becoming clear that the balance of power isn’t where New Jeans and their families hoped it would be.
Another Failed Mediation
The latest court-mandated mediation lasted about 80 minutes. Only Minji and Danielle appeared, a symbolic image of a group fractured and fatigued. The court scheduled the next session for September 11th, with a ruling looming on October 30th—a date that could decide the group’s future.
Mama’s Kamikaze Strategy
Behind the scenes, all eyes remain on New Jeans MAMA, particularly her fate dictating the outcome of the New Jeans case. Beware of a “final kamikaze attack,” with escalations of accusations or media campaigns just as the legal walls close in. Yet this risky strategy could backfire, creating more enemies and raising the stakes for everyone aligned against HYBE.
HYBE and ADOR’s Calm Countermove
HYBE and ADOR have stuck to a demure, calculated legal strategy. They’ve presented evidence of billions of won invested in New Jeans’ debut and ongoing success—reminding the court that their trust in the group has not been broken. ADOR’s legal team has already emphasized that unilateral contract termination is not permissible, regardless of public opinion campaigns.
The contrast is striking: New Jeans’ side fights in the court of public opinion, while HYBE fights in the actual court.
From Cookies to Apples: The PR War
What once looked like clever tactics—cookies and press conferences—now feels stale. Cookie season is over. Fake tears season is over. Each PR attack creates more co-conspirators and strengthens HYBE’s list of enemies turned allies. The group risks turning into “Old Jeans,” worn thin by a strategy of smears rather than solid legal standing.
The Stakes Moving Forward
This isn’t just about five idols and one CEO. It’s about leverage in the K-POP system. Agencies take massive risks investing millions of dollars into trainees, music, and promotions. Idols face tough schedules, but agencies face even tougher legal and financial liabilities. If New Jeans’ strategy succeeds, it would set a dangerous precedent for every future group under contract.
For now, ADOR and HYBE hold the cards. New Jeans can stall, smear, and fight outside the courtroom, but inside the courtroom the power rests with the company. The ball is in ADOR’s court.
What Comes Next
The September 11th mediation could be the turning point. If no deal is struck, the October 30th sentencing will define whether New Jeans remains in legal limbo—or if ADOR/HYBE’s patient checkmate becomes official.
Either way, this saga shows how fast the tides have turned: August 2024 was the height of New Jeans’ invincibility. August 2025 may be remembered as the moment their leverage slipped away.