Kesha Stands with NewJeans After They Lose Legal Battle with Label
Kesha is showing love to K-pop stars NewJeans after the group hit a major roadblock in their fight for artistic freedom. The American singer, who knows a thing or two about tough legal battles in the music industry, sent a short but heartfelt message of support following the latest court decision in South Korea.
The five-member group—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—had been trying to break away from their label ADOR after the firing of their mentor and former CEO, Min Hee-jin. But their efforts were stopped this week when a judge ruled against their attempt to end their contract.
In response, Kesha, 38, took to X, to post a message that struck a chord with fans. “My heart is with you NewJeans,” she wrote, adding a single red heart emoji.
The Praying singer has no direct connection to NewJeans, but her support feels personal. Kesha went through her own years-long legal fight with producer Dr. Luke, a case that became one of the most talked-about artist battles in recent music history. Her brief message to NewJeans seemed to say: she gets it.
For those unfamiliar, Min Hee-jin launched NewJeans in 2022 under ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE. The group’s fresh image and catchy music helped them rise fast on global charts, making them one of K-pop’s most influential acts in just two years.
But things changed drastically in 2024 when Min was removed from her position and eventually left the company. NewJeans reportedly wanted out, too, filing to terminate their exclusive contract with ADOR. The case made headlines as one of the most high-profile artist-label disputes in K-pop.
This week’s ruling from a Seoul court confirmed that Min’s dismissal was not enough legal ground for the group to walk away from their seven-year deal. That means NewJeans must stay with ADOR, at least for now.
While fans expressed disappointment and concern, Kesha’s public show of support reminded many that even global artists face similar struggles. Her words were brief but powerful—a simple gesture that bridged continents and industries.
As the dust settles, it’s unclear what comes next for NewJeans or whether they’ll appeal the court’s decision. But if one thing’s certain, it’s that they’ve earned an ally in Kesha, someone who’s been through the fight and come out stronger.
Entertainment outlets worldwide have been watching closely as the situation unfolds, with the case sparking bigger conversations about artist rights and control in the music industry—both in K-pop and beyond.