The Korea Entertainment Producers Association issued a press release harshly criticizing girl group NewJeans for their attempted early contract termination, calling the move irresponsible . The association urged the group members to reverse their decision, return to ADOR , and resume their normal activities "for the sake of the entire South Korean cultural and entertainment industry."

Here is the full statement from the Korea Entertainment Producers Association:

"The recent controversy regarding the termination of the exclusive contract between NewJeans and their agency has deeply shocked South Korea's cultural and entertainment industries. The K-pop industry itself, a cultural asset that is a source of national pride and the focus of global attention, is facing a fundamental crisis due to the NewJeans incident. The Korea Entertainment Producers Association can no longer remain silent and has chosen to express its position.

First of all, an exclusive contract is not a simple agreement but the product of mutual trust and commitment. We express serious concerns about the idea that an exclusive contract can be terminated unilaterally based on unilateral claims. Termination of a contract can only occur when the party asserting it provides a legitimate reason, supported by evidence. However, the members of NewJeans have so far failed to present tangible evidence to support their claims. Furthermore, the group’s unilateral decision to terminate the contract at a press conference completely bypasses proper procedures, and yet the members have continued to make unreasonable demands that go beyond the scope of the signed agreement. This is highly irresponsible for a party with contractual obligations and deserves severe criticism.

Then there are growing concerns about allegations that NewJeans was involved in manipulation during the validity of their contract. If these allegations are true, this would constitute a very sophisticated and new form of manipulation. Manipulation is a destructive act that undermines the trust that the entertainment industry is built on. It is not simply a contractual violation but a betrayal of the relationship that agencies and artists have built over time. If a renowned K-pop artist like NewJeans is indeed involved in manipulation, it would leave an indelible scar on the entire cultural industry.

Finally, the unilateral actions declared by NewJeans, a group in its third year and having achieved unprecedented success, could set a very dangerous precedent that threatens the sustainability of South Korea’s cultural and entertainment industries. Agencies take significant financial and time risks to discover and nurture artists. Artist development is not simply a business transaction but a process based on mutual trust and dedication. However, NewJeans’ abrupt decision to announce the termination of their contracts with less than half of the contract term having passed, not to mention the allegations of manipulation, seriously harms the relationship between artists and companies, severely damaging trust in the industry and deterring investment. If such unilateral contract terminations are allowed, who would want to invest in K-Pop?

The Korea Entertainment Producers Association urges NewJeans to withdraw their irresponsible claims as soon as possible, return to their roots, and resume normal operations. If any attempts at independent activities have taken place, either domestically or internationally, we insist that such activities be immediately stopped and urge members to take a proactive approach, including engaging in dialogue with their agency. Furthermore, we call for a thorough investigation into illegal activities such as manipulation.