Advertising production company Dolphiners has deposited ₩1.2 billion (approximately USD 9 million) with the court in an effort to suspend compulsory enforcement of a first instance ruling related to the unauthorized posting of a NewJeans music video.
According to legal sources on January 26, Dolphiners submitted the deposit to the Seoul Central District Court after being ordered to pay ₩1 billion in damages to ADOR, the label behind NewJeans. The move follows the court’s decision to allow provisional enforcement of the ruling while the case remains under appeal.
Court Previously Ordered ₩1 Billion in Damages
On January 13, the Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division 63 ruled that Dolphiners must compensate ADOR ₩1 billion, plus delayed interest, for uploading a director’s cut of NewJeans’ ‘ETA’ music video to its YouTube channel without authorization. The court also granted provisional enforcement, meaning ADOR could immediately pursue collection even before the verdict became final.
Provisional enforcement allows the winning party to execute a judgment prior to confirmation on appeal. However, the losing party may request a suspension of enforcement by providing financial security, typically through a cash deposit or insurance guarantee.
Enforcement Suspended After Deposit
Dolphiners filed a request to suspend enforcement on January 20, which the court approved on the condition that adequate security be provided. The ₩1.2 billion deposit exceeds the damages amount, reflecting both principal and potential interest during the appeal process. Legal experts note that such deposits are standard in civil cases involving provisional enforcement and do not affect the substance of the appeal itself.
Background of the Dispute
The dispute stems from August 2025, when Dolphiners uploaded a director’s cut version of NewJeans’ ‘ETA’ music video to its official YouTube channel. ADOR argued that the video was company property and had been published without authorization, constituting a breach of contract and copyright infringement.
Director Shin Woo-seok later claimed ADOR demanded the removal of all NewJeans related videos, a claim ADOR denied. ADOR maintained that it only requested the removal of the ‘ETA’ director’s cut and accused Shin of spreading false information. ADOR initially sought more than ₩1.1 billion in damages, but the court ultimately recognized ₩1 billion related to contractual violations, dismissing a separate ₩100 million defamation claim. Claims against Shin personally were also rejected.
Appeal Now Underway
Dolphiners formally filed an appeal on January 20, signaling that the legal battle will continue in higher court. Until a final ruling is issued, enforcement of the damages award remains suspended due to the deposit.
The case has drawn industry attention as it raises broader questions about content ownership, director’s cuts, and the limits of creative control in K-pop production.