ADOR has won a partial victory in the appellate court against advertising production company Dolphiners Films (Dolphin Kidnapping Group) in a damages lawsuit over the release of the director’s cut of NewJeans‘ “ETA” music video.
On October 29, the Civil Division 5-3 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judges Kang Sung-hoon, Song Hye-jung, and Kim Dae-hyun) held an appellate sentencing hearing on ADOR’s damages claim against Dolphiners Films and Director Shin Woo-seok and ruled in ADOR’s favour.
During the appellate sentencing hearing, the court stated, “Both the plaintiff’s and defendant’s appeals are dismissed.” As a result, the original compensation award of 1 billion KRW (approx. $750,000 USD) stands.
In August 2024, Dolphiners Films posted the director’s cut video of NewJeans’ “ETA” music video on its own YouTube channel. However, ADOR raised objections and requested its deletion, which ultimately escalated into a legal dispute.
Previously, the court of first instance ruled that “Dolphiners Films must pay ADOR 1 billion KRW along with a 12% annual delayed interest penalty.”
