In a significant legal win, NewJeans has secured a court judgment against a YouTuber who posted sexually harassing content about the group.
On August 11, the Seoul Western District Court’s Civil Division 13, presided over by Judge Lee Ah-young, ruled in favor of the members in part of their ₩100 million (approx. $73,000 USD) damages lawsuit filed in June. The court ordered the defendant, identified as Mr. Shin, to pay ₩5 million each to Minji, Hanni, and Danielle, and ₩7 million each to Haerin and Hyein.
The case stems from incidents in April and May of last year, when Mr. Shin operated two YouTube channels and uploaded more than 20 videos that distorted the lyrics of NewJeans’ hit “Cookie” into sexually suggestive phrases, and mocked scenes of the members holding microphones to resemble sexual acts. The videos also included disturbing comments, such as expressing a desire to “make them mothers of many children,” aimed at members who were minors at the time — sparking public outrage.
This ruling comes amid ongoing legal disputes between NewJeans and their agency, ADOR. On May 17, the Seoul High Court rejected the members’ appeal against an earlier injunction prohibiting independent activities without ADOR’s consent. That injunction, upheld in April, prevents the members from engaging in entertainment or advertising work without agency approval.
In a separate decision on April 29, the court also granted ADOR’s request for a conditional penalty: if any member carries out unauthorized activities, they must pay ₩1 billion (approx. $730,000 USD) per violation to the agency.
The court has allowed time for both parties to negotiate before the next hearing in their main contract validity lawsuit, scheduled for August 14.