When talking about the group NewJeans, the stage they present with five members seems natural and unadorned, making it even more attractive as if they are just enjoying the stage and having fun.

From their debut songs like Attention and Hype Boy, they caught attention with fresh performances, and continued to captivate the public's hearts with songs like Ditto and Super Shy, maintaining that free-spirited atmosphere.

Musically, they are noted for their unique blend of 90s R&B vibes emphasizing mid-low tones, and the way all members' vocal colors harmonize without a strong main vocalist or rapper is considered distinctive.

However, it is ironic that NewJeans, who were doing so well, are now at the center of a legal battle.

The key issue is whether the exclusive contract with Ador can be terminated, as the members claim their trust in Ador, a subsidiary of the major entertainment company HYBE, has been broken and have notified the termination of the contract, but the court has ruled that the contract remains valid.

As a result, the members' attempt to perform under the new name NJZ was also seen as a violation of the injunction, and a ruling has been made that they would have to pay an indirect fine of 1 billion won per person if they engage in activities without permission.

Although they filed an appeal, it was dismissed, and ultimately, the outcome of the main lawsuit will determine their future path.

Public reactions have changed over time. Initially, there was a lot of support for the courage of artists standing up against a major agency. Fans were also strong in their desire to protect the musical color and stage charm that NewJeans possesses.

However, as the court's rulings continued to favor Ador and the appeals were dismissed, opinions such as "the contract issue is not that simple" and "the members seem to be overreaching" have gradually increased. There are also concerns that "it is unfortunate to miss this golden period."

While fans still firmly support them, the general public seems to be looking at the situation with a more critical eye. In particular, suspicions have arisen regarding the flow of media reports and public comments, questioning "is someone manipulating public opinion?" which has complicated the atmosphere further.

Ultimately, this situation can be seen as a clash between the natural and free-spirited image of youth that NewJeans has shown and the realistic contract issues they face. Depending on how the court ruling turns out, it will determine whether the members can return to the stage or miss opportunities during a long hiatus.

From the fans' perspective, they still want to support and protect the group, but this dispute is gaining attention as it could have a significant impact not just on one team but on the entire K-POP industry.

The dispute between NewJeans and Ador is ultimately leading back to the negotiation table for a settlement.

The Seoul Central District Court's Civil Settlement Division 41 has announced that it will hold the second mediation session for the lawsuit filed by Ador to confirm the validity of the exclusive contract with the five members of NewJeans.

In the first mediation held on the 14th of last month, Minji and Danielle attended as representatives and went through the mediation process privately for about 1 hour and 20 minutes, but ultimately did not reach an agreement.

In this second mediation, both sides will once again explore the possibility of reaching an agreement.

After the first mediation, Minji and Danielle only responded with "We are sorry" to reporters' questions and kept their comments brief.

The court is planning to listen to both sides' opinions thoroughly and aims to resolve the exclusive contract dispute amicably, but if this second mediation also fails, a ruling will be issued on October 30.

The NewJeans side claims that the trust relationship has already collapsed following the dismissal of former CEO Min Hee-jin, and in a petition submitted to the court, they expressed a strong stance saying, "Telling us to return to Ador is like telling a victim of school violence to return to the place where the perpetrator is."

On the other hand, Ador argues that the contract is still valid and the trust relationship has not been broken, and they are currently preparing for NewJeans' comeback, claiming that returning would actually benefit the members.

All eyes are on whether they can find common ground in this second mediation or if they will ultimately fail to reach an agreement and have to wait for the court's ruling.

In the end, it can be said that NewJeans' future depends on the court's ruling and the choices of the members.