NewJeans Faces Legal Challenges Over Allegations of Plagiarism

NewJeans, the popular K-pop group, is facing a lawsuit from four songwriters who allege that their upcoming track 'How Sweet' plagiarizes an unreleased demo. The legal action comes during a tumultuous period for the group, which has been grappling with internal disputes and uncertainties regarding member contracts. As the situation unfolds, both ADOR and HYBE have yet to respond to the allegations, raising questions about the future of the group amidst ongoing controversies. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 9, 2026, 11:34 IST

Legal Issues for NewJeans

The K-pop sensation NewJeans and their management agency ADOR are encountering new legal challenges as four songwriters have accused them of plagiarism concerning their upcoming track, 'How Sweet,' set for release in 2024. Recent reports indicate that these songwriters have initiated a lawsuit in a U.S. court, claiming that elements of the song bear a striking resemblance to an unreleased demo they had previously submitted for the group's consideration. This legal action arises amidst ongoing internal and contractual issues involving NewJeans, ADOR, and their parent company.

Details of the Lawsuit

Lawsuit against NewJeans

According to Billboard, the lawsuit was filed by songwriters Audrey Armacost, Aidan Rodriguez, Adam Gokcebay, and Michael Campanelli. They allege that in January 2024, they were contacted through their publisher to provide material for a potential NewJeans project. The songwriters created and submitted a track titled 'One of a Kind,' which included both melody and lyrics intended for the group. However, they later learned that their submission was not chosen for the project.

The controversy escalated after the release of 'How Sweet,' with the songwriters claiming that the first verse of the new track closely mirrors 'One of a Kind.' Through their lawsuit, they are seeking acknowledgment as contributors to the song and a share of the royalties generated from its release. As of now, neither ADOR nor HYBE Labels has publicly addressed these plagiarism claims, which have heightened scrutiny on both the agency and the girl group, already under public scrutiny for several months.

Ongoing Challenges for NewJeans

NewJeans and its mounting controversies

This lawsuit comes at a particularly challenging time for NewJeans, who have been largely inactive since 2024 due to a significant contractual dispute with ADOR and HYBE Labels. This conflict has been a major topic in the media for months, creating uncertainty about the future activities of the group members. A pivotal moment occurred in October of the previous year when a court ruled in favor of ADOR, affirming the validity of the exclusive contracts between the agency and the members. Following this ruling, some members have slowly resumed their activities under the agency.

Reports indicate that members Haerin, Hyein, and Hanni have returned to ADOR after the court's decision. However, Danielle's exclusive contract has reportedly been terminated, adding further uncertainty to the group's future lineup and promotional activities. Meanwhile, Minji's status remains unresolved, with ADOR stating as recently as May 7 that discussions regarding her future with the company are still ongoing.