The legal battle between former member Danielle and her former agency has taken a surprising turn after the agency’s legal representative stepped away from the high-profile lawsuit. The development comes amid an ongoing 43.1 billion KRW damages case that has already placed Danielle’s career on hold. With a crucial court hearing approaching, questions are now being raised about whether this sudden withdrawal could impact the pace – and possibly the direction – of the case. The dispute, which also involves ex ADOR CEO Min Hee-Jin, has become more complicated.
ADOR’s lawyer quits
On April 24, legal representatives from Kim & Chang, one of South Korea’s top law firms, formally submitted a notice of withdrawal from the case at the Seoul Central District Court. The filing confirmed that ADOR’s litigation representative had resigned from their role, leaving the agency temporarily without legal counsel in a lawsuit that demands billions in damages.
Danielle Marsh was removed by ADOR from NewJeans
ADOR is the plaintiff in the case, which targets Danielle, a family member of her and Min Hee-Jin, holding them accountable for alleged contractual breaches and disruptions to group activities. The agency claims that Danielle’s departure from NewJeans caused significant financial and operational damage, including delays and alleged “tampering” with contractual obligations.
With the next hearing scheduled for May 14, the timing of the lawyer’s withdrawal could prove critical. ADOR must now appoint a new legal representative, a process that may take time and potentially delay proceedings. Any such postponement could extend the uncertainty surrounding Danielle’s professional future, which has remained in limbo since her contract was terminated in December 2025.
How will this affect Danielle and the case?
Currently without a label or group, Danielle faces reputational challenges along with the weight of a multi-billion-won lawsuit. For a young artist in the peak phase of her career, each delay adds further strain and unpredictability. Adding to the debate, during the first hearing in March, Danielle’s legal team reportedly argued that the agency was intentionally dragging proceedings, a claim that is being discussed in the wake of the recent withdrawal.
NewJeans was a 5 member group before Danielle’s removal
However, from a legal standpoint, such withdrawals are not entirely uncommon. Changes in legal representation can happen for a variety of reasons, including strategic shifts, internal decisions or conflicts of interest. Still, given the scale and visibility of this case, the timing inevitably raises eyebrows. For now, the scheduled hearings on May 14 and July 2 are on, but whether they proceed as planned will depend on how quickly ADOR secures new legal counsel.
The broader dispute is deeply tied to the ongoing conflict between ADOR and Min Hee-Jin, which has had ripple effects across the K-pop industry. Allegations of internal power struggles and attempts to restructure the agency have only added complexity to the situation, impacting Danielle and the future of NewJeans as a group.